Using Absolute and Relative Age

What is the difference between relative age and absolute age?

• Relative is the age of a rock/fossil in relation to the rock layers around it, absolute age is the exact age of the rock/fossil.

• Absolute age is the age of an object in relation to objects around it, relative age is the exact age of the object.

• Relative age only applies to fossils, Absolute age only applies to rocks.

• Absolute age only applies to fossils, Relative age only applies to rocks. 

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Average numerical age, in years of a rock or object.

• Absolute Age

• Relative Age

• Half-life

• Law of Universality

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

Two geologists were conducting a dig in a set of horizontal, undisturbed rock layers. They both discovered fossils in the same area, however, they would like to determine the exact age of their fossils. What is the BEST method for them to use to determine a more precise age of their fossils?

• The Law of Superposition is the best way to determine the age of the fossil because whoever dug deeper into the Earth obtained the older fossil.

• Using an index fossil is the best way to determine the age of the fossil because all fossils of the same species will be the same age.

• Radiocarbon dating is the best way to determine the age of the fossils because it shows the amount of carbon decay in an organism that was once alive.

• Using the fossil record is the best way to determine the age of the fossils because the fossil record has not changed over time.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

What are the relative ages of the features in order from oldest to youngest?

• Limestone, Basalt, Fault, Siltstone

• Siltstone, Fault, Basalt, Limestone

• Limestone, Fault, Basalt, Siltstone

• Limestone, Siltstone, Fault, Basalt

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

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

• F

• E

• B

• A

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Which of the following correctly lists the layers in order from oldest to youngest?

• A, B, C, D, E

• E, B, C, D, A

• E, D, C, B, A

• C, B, A, D, E

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Which is the youngest?

• Layer B

• Intrusion A

• Layer C

• Layer D

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The age of rocks and geologic features compared with other rocks and features nearby.

• Relative Age

• Absolute Age

• Law of Universality

• Law of Oldness

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Radioactive dating is a method used by geologists to determine the _____ age of rocks.

• absolute

• relative

• general

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

The age of a rock compared to the ages of other rocks.

• absolute age

• relative age

• half-life

• radioactive decay

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4