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WorksheetsEarth Formation & Geological Time
Total questions: 75
Worksheet time: 54mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
Based on the law of superposition, where would the oldest rocks be found.
a)
at the bottom
b)
at the top
c)
second from the bottom
d)
second from the top
2.
What is an unconformity?
a)
A layer of sedimentary rock
b)
A layer of rocks with unusual fossils
c)
An intrustion
d)
A missing time or gap in the rock record because of erosion
3.
Which technique can be used to determine the exact age of a rock?
a)
Radiometric dating
b)
Relative dating
4.
What are fossils?
a)
the oldest layers of rock in a region
b)
living creatures with habitats in or around rocks
c)
preserved remains or traces of once living things
d)
objects that people of long ago left behind as artifacts
5.
Which letter matches with the OLDEST layer of rock?
a)
W
b)
X
c)
Y
d)
Z
6.
The time that it takes 50% of an element to decay is called what?
a)
the daughter product
b)
the half-wit
c)
the half-life
d)
the half-time
7.
What is matching similar rocks in different locations called?
a)
succession
b)
fossilization
c)
geology
d)
correlation
8.
If the original mass of a radioactive element was 36 grams how much would be left after 1 half life?
a)
36 grams
b)
18 grams
c)
9 grams
d)
4.5 grams
9.
What kind of rock would you typically find fossils in?
a)
igneous
b)
metamorphic
c)
sedimentary
10.
Index fossils are used by geologists to
a)
match rocks of the same age in different regions
b)
determine the relative age of rocks in one place
c)
identify organisms that did not leave fossil evidence behind
d)
determine why some organisms became extinct
11.
What kind of dating is used to compare the age of a rock to those around it?
a)
Radiometric
b)
Relative
12.
The age of a rock given as the number of years since the rock formed.
a)
relative age
b)
half-life
c)
absolute age
d)
radioactive decay
13.
The age of a rock compared to the ages of other rocks.
a)
relative age
b)
half-life
c)
absolute age
d)
radioactive decay
14.
The process in which the nuclei of radioactive elements break down, releasing fast-moving particles and decay.
a)
relative age
b)
half-life
c)
absolute age
d)
radioactive decay
15.
The time it takes half of the atoms of a radioactive element to decay
a)
relative age
b)
half-life
c)
absolute age
d)
radioactive decay
16.
A type of fossil that provides evidence of the activities of ancient organisms.
a)
trace fossil
b)
mold fossil
c)
petrified fossil
d)
cast fossil
17.
Change over time for organisms.
a)
geologic time scale
b)
evolution
c)
era
d)
period
18.
An igneous rock later formed when lava flows onto Earth's surface and hardens.
a)
extrusion
b)
index fossil
c)
intrusion
d)
uncomformity
19.
A record of the geologic events and life forms in Earth's history.
a)
index fossil
b)
half-life
c)
radioactive dating
d)
geologic time scale
20.
An igneous rock layer formed when magma hardens beneath Earth's surface.
a)
extrusion
b)
index fossil
c)
intrusion
d)
unconformity
21.
The Geologic Time Scale is a record of what?
a)
old geologists
b)
sweet geology music
c)
the known history of rocks and fossils
d)
a list of every living thing ever
22.
Which of the following statements about the fossil record is true?
a)
all organisms become fossils
b)
organisms having soft body parts make up most of the fossils
c)
all organisms that have shells become fossils
d)
the fossil record is incomplete
23.
The Law of Superposition helps scientists to determine what?
a)
The absolute age of rock layers
b)
The age of fossils
c)
The relative age of rock layers
d)
the super powers of rocks
24.
How old do Paleontologists believe the Earth is?
a)
2015 years old
b)
3.6 billion years old
c)
4.6 billion years old
d)
4.6 million years old
25.
According to the law of superposition, which layer is the youngest?
a)
A
b)
B
c)
C
26.
Why is the fossil record incomplete?
a)
fossils get eroded away over time
b)
most organisms never became fossils
c)
scavengers and decomposers eat them too quickly
d)
all of the above
27.
Scientists chose where units of geologic time began and ended based on major changes in life forms at certain times.
a)
true
b)
false
28.
The disappearance of a species.
a)
Evolution
b)
Extinction
c)
Migration
d)
Mutation
29.
This provides information about the history of life on earth and how organisms lived and evolved over time.
a)
fossil data
b)
fossil evidence
c)
fossil record
d)
remains of fossil
30.
Which of the following correctly lists the layers of rock in order from youngest to oldest?
a)
A, B, C, D, E
b)
B, C, D, E, A
c)
E, D, A, B, C
d)
C, B, A, D, E
31.
Which period are we currently in?
a)
Quaternary
b)
Holocene
c)
Jurassic
d)
Tertiary
32.
Which layer is the oldest and youngest?
a)
C and B
b)
C and E
c)
D and E
d)
A and B
33.
Which era is the longest?
a)
Cenozoic
b)
Cambrian
c)
Precambrian
d)
Phanerozoic
34.
Which layer is a result of an igneous intrusion?
a)
B
b)
C
c)
D
d)
E
35.
Paleontologists infer that the earth is approximately how many years old?
a)
4.5 million years
b)
450 million years
c)
450 billion years
d)
4.5 billion years
36.
When an unstable radioactive atom decays, it usually turns into:
a)
a more stable atom
b)
a less stable atom
c)
the exact same atom but with less pure energy
d)
empty space
37.
Radiometric dating is possible because the rates of decay of radioactive isotopes _____.
a)
change over time
b)
change from place to place
c)
are constant
d)
vary widely
38.
The time it takes for 50% of the nuclei in a radioactive sample to decay to its stable isotope is called _____.
a)
the daughter product
b)
geologic time
c)
the half-life
d)
the half-time
39.
According to the graph, what fraction of the original parent isotope still exists after 3 half lives?
a)
0,5000 g
b)
0,2500 g
c)
0,1250 g
d)
0.0625 g
40.
You find a rock sample with radioactive atoms present. If 12.5% of the original radioactive atoms were present, how many half-lives has the rock been around for? (Hint, at Half-Life = 0, you start with 100%)
a)
zero
b)
1
c)
2
d)
3
41.
You find a rock sample with radioactive atoms present. If 25% of the original radioactive atoms were present, how many half-lives has the rock been around for? (Hint, at Half-Life = 0, you start with 100%)
a)
zero
b)
1
c)
2
d)
3
42.
If the half-life of a radioactive group of atoms is 100 years, then how old is the rock if there have been two half-lives?
a)
25 years
b)
200 years
c)
400 years
d)
800 years
43.
Suppose you found a material in which 12.5% of the original radioactive atoms were still present. If the half-life of an atom is 60 years, how old is the material?
a)
30 years old
b)
60 years old
c)
120 years old
d)
180 years old
44.
Which radioactive isotope takes the greatest amount of time to undergo radioactive decay?
a)
Carbon-14
b)
Potassium-40
c)
Uranium-238
d)
Rubidium-87
45.
Which rock layer in the diagram seems to be the oldest?
a)
F
b)
E
c)
B
d)
A
46.
If an index fossil is found in two rock layers that are separated by an ocean, what do you know about the relationship between the two rock layers?
a)
they are about the same age
b)
they used to be in the same area
c)
the are made of the same kind of rock
d)
the rock layers are unrelated
47.
The ________ states that layers of sediment were originally deposited horizontally under the action of gravity.
a)
law of superposition
b)
law of horizontality
c)
uniformitarianism
d)
unconformities
48.
states that the geologic feature which cuts another is the younger of the two features
a)
law of horizontality
b)
cross cutting relationships
c)
law of superposition
d)
uniformitarianism
49.
What 2 things make a good index fossil?
a)
Good looks and a great smile
b)
widespread and on Earth of a short time
c)
widespread and on Earth for a long time
d)
only found in Clinton Twp and in every rock layer
50.
Which of the following is the oldest?
a)
Layer L
b)
Intrusion D
c)
Intrusion H
d)
Layer E
51.
Letter "A" is an....
a)
inclusion
b)
intrusion
c)
fault
d)
unconformity
52.
Letter "F" is a....
a)
inclusion
b)
intrusion
c)
fault
d)
unconformity
53.
The rock formation labeled "P" is a(n)...
a)
fault
b)
intrusion
c)
inclusion
d)
unconformity
54.
The statement "Layer B is younger than layer E" can be determined by using which principle?
a)
Principle of Horizontality
b)
Principle of Cross-Cutting Relationships
c)
Principle of Inclusions
d)
Principle of Superposition
55.
Which layer of the earth is the thinnest?
a)
Mantle
b)
Inner Core
c)
Outer Core
d)
Crust
56.
If Marble is a rock that has large crystals and formed by exposure to high heat and pressure, what type of rock is it?
a)
Igneous
b)
Metamorphic
c)
Sedimentary
d)
Sediment
57.
When magma is cooled and solidified it becomes what type of rock?
a)
igneous
b)
metamorphic
c)
sedimentary
d)
conglomerate
58.
Rock X is produced by "cooling". What type of rock is Rock X?
a)
Sedimentary Rock
b)
Metamorphic Rock
c)
Sediment
d)
Igneous Rock
59.
Which statement correctly compares techniques used to determine rock ages?
a)
Core rock samples indicate ABSOLUTE age, but radioactive decay indicates RELATIVE ages.
b)
Radioactive dating indicates ABSOLUTE age, but the Law of Superposition indicates RELATIVE age.
c)
The Law of Superposition indicates ABSOLUTE age, but core rock samples indicates RELATIVE age.
d)
Position of fossils in rocks indicate ABSOLUTE age, but core rock samples indicate RELATIVE age.
60.
Scientists use radioactive decay to determine the age of most igneous and some metamorphic rocks. What kind of dating is this?
a)
Absolute dating
b)
Relative dating
c)
Neither
d)
Conformities
61.
What causes dust & gas to combine to make astroids?
a)
Gravity
b)
Earth
c)
Asteroids
d)
Solar System
62.
This layer of Earth is the thickest part
a)
crust
b)
outer core
c)
mantle
d)
inner core
63.
Which of these layers is ALL solid iron and nickle?
a)
inner core
b)
outer core
c)
lithosphere
d)
mesosphere
64.
As you travel from the inner core to the crust, how would temperature, pressure and density of the material change?
a)
The would all increase
b)
The would all decrease.
c)
They would stay the same.
d)
Temperature would decrease, but pressure and density would increase.
65.
What is the correct layers of the earth starting with the surface?
a)
crust, outer core, inner core, mantle
b)
mantle, outer core, inner core ,crust
c)
crust, mantle, outer core, inner core
d)
outer core, inner core , crust, mantle
66.
What two main factors did scientists claim affect Earth's formation?
a)
Rock explosion and collision
b)
Mass and Volume
c)
Gravity and Density
d)
Magic and chance
67.
Which layer of Earth is liquid metal?
a)
Outer Core
b)
Mantle
c)
Inner Core
d)
Asthenosphere
68.
Which is the hottest layer and has the most pressure on it?
a)
Crust
b)
Mantle
c)
Outer Core
d)
Inner core
69.
Force pushing on an area
a)
speed
b)
pressure
c)
temperature
d)
momentum
70.
What force draws matter together into a dense central core?
a)
Magnetism
b)
Gravity
c)
Inertia
d)
Fusion
71.
Gravity is the force of attraction between two objects and is due to their
a)
Mass
b)
Height
c)
Gas
d)
Nebula
72.
When the nebula begins to contract due to gravity the ____________ rises.
a)
Nebula
b)
Temperature
c)
Fission
d)
Magnetism
73.
What is one difference between layer W and layer X (seen in the diagram)?
a)
Layer W is hotter than layer X
b)
Layer W is less dense than layer X
c)
Layer W is thicker than layer X
d)
Layer W and Layer X are not different
74.
How do scientists know what the interior of the earth looks like?
a)
By drilling down into the center of the Earth
b)
Energy waves that were released by an earthquake are analyzed around the world
c)
Volcanic eruptions bring the interior of the earth to the surface.
d)
Scientists have no idea what the interior of the Earth is composed of.
75.
As density increases, seismic waves travel ________.
a)
faster
b)
slower
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