Dating Fossils

The graph indicates the radioactive decay rates for three different elements, A, B, and C.

To determine the age of a rock formed during the Cambrian Period (500million yrs ago), a scientist would use

• element A, only

• element B, only

• element C, only

• elements A, B, and C

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

One similarity between uranium-238 and carbon-14 is that both

• decay at a predictable rate

• have the same half-life

• are normally found in large quantities in living matter

• are found in granite

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

By determining the age of fossils, scientists can reconstruct the history of life on Earth

• True

• False

Which fossil is relatively the oldest?

• Trilobite

• Ammonite

• Crinoid

• Gastropod

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-1

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

According to the law of superposition, the oldest fossils are found 

• At the top of the rock layers

• Near the bottom of the rock layers

• In the middle of the rock layers

• Somewhat near the surface

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Which rock layer in the diagram seems to be the oldest?

• F

• E

• B

• A

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Look at the diagram, what layer did animal E first show up in?

• Layer #4

• Layer #5

• Layer #6

• Layer #8

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

The hardened remains of a living thing that died long ago.

• fossil

• extinct

• endangered

• minerals

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Relative dating can only help scientists determine whether one fossil is older than another.

• True

• False

Which of the following methods is commonly used to date fossils older than 50,000 years?

• Carbon-14 dating

• Potassium-argon dating

• Dendrochronology

• Thermoluminescence