Relative Age Dating Principles

Which statement best describes the Principle of Superposition in undisturbed sedimentary rock layers?

• Older rock layers are on top and younger layers are at the bottom

• Younger rock layers are on top and older layers are at the bottom

• All rock layers are the same age if undisturbed

• Igneous layers are always younger than sedimentary layers

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

A vertical dike cuts across several sedimentary layers. Based on cross-cutting relationships, which is true?

• The dike is older than the sedimentary layers it cuts

• The dike and the sedimentary layers formed at the same time

• The dike is younger than the sedimentary layers it cuts

• Age cannot be determined using cross-cutting relationships

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Inclusions are pieces of rock contained within another rock. Which age relationship is correct?

• Inclusions are older than the rock that contains them

• Inclusions are younger than the rock that contains them

• Inclusions and the surrounding rock are the same age

• Inclusions can only occur in igneous rocks

Which description correctly matches the type of unconformity with what is beneath the younger sedimentary layers?

• Disconformity: tilted or folded layers beneath

• Angular unconformity: horizontal sedimentary layers beneath

• Nonconformity: older igneous or metamorphic rock beneath

• All unconformities: younger igneous dikes beneath

Which combination of traits is required for index fossils used in relative dating?

• Species existed for a long time, was rare, and lived in few places

• Species existed for a short time, was abundant, and lived in many places

• Species existed for a short time, was rare, and lived in one place

• Species existed for a long time, was abundant, and lived in few places

An organism is more likely to become a fossil if it has hard parts such as shell or bone and is buried quickly after it dies. What is the main reason quick burial increases fossilization chances?

• It prevents decay and scavenging before hard parts can be preserved

• It guarantees that soft tissues will mineralize

• It makes the organism older than surrounding rocks

• It turns bones directly into igneous rock

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Recall: All atoms of an element contain the same number of which subatomic particle?

• Neutrons

• Electrons

• Protons

• Isotopes

Recall: Isotopes are atoms of the same element that contain different numbers of which subatomic particle?

• Protons

• Neutrons

• Electrons

• Nuclei

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

Skill/Concept: In order for an atom to change into a different element, what must happen?

• It must gain or lose electrons.

• It must gain or lose neutrons.

• It must gain or lose protons.

• It must split into two daughter atoms.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

Recall: Radioactive decay is the process by which an unstable ______ naturally changes into a more stable ______.

• element; element

• atom; molecule

• electron; proton

• rock; mineral

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8