Dating Fossils and Geological Concepts

The video, presented by Simon from the Ontario Science Centre, explores how scientists date fossils using relative and absolute dating methods. Relative dating involves comparing the age of one fossil to another, while absolute dating determines the numerical age using radiometric techniques like carbon-14. The video includes hands-on activities to simulate geological processes and measure half-lives, helping viewers understand the principles of stratigraphy and radioactive decay. It concludes with suggestions for further experiments and encourages viewers to share their results.

What are the two main methods used by scientists to date fossils?

• Stratigraphy and sedimentation

• Geological and chemical dating

• Carbon and nitrogen dating

• Relative and absolute dating

In relative dating, what does the principle of superposition state?

• Layers are dated by their color

• All layers are the same age

• Younger layers are found above older layers

• Older layers are found above younger layers

What is stratigraphy?

• The study of rock layers and their formation

• The process of fossilization

• A method of absolute dating

• A type of geological fault

What geological event is simulated by compressing layers in the strata activity?

• Volcanic eruption

• Reverse fault or thrust fault

• Earthquake

• Erosion

What is an igneous intrusion?

• A type of sedimentary layer

• A vertical band of rock formed by cooled magma

• A horizontal layer of sand

• A fossilized organism

What is the main purpose of radiometric dating?

• To measure the size of fossils

• To determine the color of rocks

• To find the numerical age of fossils

• To identify the type of rock

How does carbon-14 form in the atmosphere?

• From plant photosynthesis

• By the decay of uranium

• By cosmic rays interacting with nitrogen

• Through volcanic activity

What is the half-life of carbon-14?

• 100,000 years

• 1,000 years

• 5,730 years

• 10,000 years

Why is carbon-14 not suitable for dating fossils older than 7,000 years?

• It has a short half-life

• It is not found in older fossils

• It decays too quickly

• It is only present in living organisms

Which isotopes are used for dating older fossils?

• Potassium-40 and uranium-238

• Carbon-12 and nitrogen-14

• Helium-4 and neon-20

• Oxygen-16 and hydrogen-2