HL Geologic Time Mastery Check

What is the half-life of a radioactive element?

• The time it takes for all atoms to decay.

• The time it takes for half of the atoms to decay.

• The time it takes for a single atom to decay.

• The time it takes for the element to become stable.

What is natural selection?

• The process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

• A method of breeding plants and animals for desired traits.

• The theory that all species evolve from a common ancestor over time.

• A technique used to create genetically modified organisms.

What is the difference between relative dating and absolute dating?

• Relative dating determines the age of a fossil in relation to other fossils, while absolute dating provides a specific age.

• Relative dating provides a specific age, while absolute dating determines the age of a fossil in relation to other fossils.

• Relative dating is used for rocks, while absolute dating is used for fossils.

• Relative dating and absolute dating are the same and provide identical results.

What is radiometric dating?

• A method used to date materials by comparing the abundance of a radioactive isotope to its decay products.

• A technique for measuring the age of fossils based on their location in sedimentary layers.

• A process that determines the age of rocks by analyzing their mineral composition.

• A way to estimate the age of an object by examining its physical characteristics.

What is a common ancestor?

• A species that has no descendants.

• An ancestral species from which multiple species have evolved.

• A species that is currently living and thriving.

• A type of fossil that shows evolutionary traits.

How has life evolved starting with the oldest fossils?

• Life started on land and then moved to the ocean.

• Fish evolved first, followed by mammals, then reptiles, and finally birds.

• Life began in the ocean, evolving through natural selection to land, with fish evolving first, then reptiles, then mammals, and finally birds.

• Birds were the first life forms to evolve, followed by reptiles and mammals.

What are the three main ERAs of the Geologic Time Scale?

• Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Cenozoic

• Archeozoic, Proterozoic, Phanerozoic

• Cenozoic, Mesozoic, Paleozoic

• Paleozoic, Neoproterozoic, Mesoproterozoic

What is the significance of the Cambrian Explosion?

• A period in the Paleozoic Era when a rapid diversification of life forms occurred.

• A time when dinosaurs first appeared on Earth.

• An event marking the end of the Ice Age.

• A significant volcanic eruption that changed the climate.

What role do plate tectonics play in the Geologic Time Scale?

• Plate tectonics can cause changes in the Earth's surface, leading to the formation of new habitats and influencing evolution.

• Plate tectonics are responsible for the creation of fossil fuels over time.

• Plate tectonics have no significant impact on the Geologic Time Scale.

• Plate tectonics primarily affect weather patterns and climate change.

In which layer did species C come into existence?

• Layer 1 - This layer contains the oldest fossils.

• Layer 2 - Because that is the layer it is first seen.

• Layer 3 - This layer is known for its diverse species.

• Layer 4 - This layer has the most recent fossils.