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Age Dating of Universe, Earth and Rocks

Total questions: 75

Worksheet time: 1hrs 15mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
States that younger rocks lie above older rocks if the layers have not been disturbed
a)
Law of crosscutting
b)
Law of superposition
c)
Relative Dating
d)
Unconformity
2.
A break in the geologic record that is made when rock layers are eroded over a long period of time
a)
Law of Superposition
b)
Law of Crosscutting
c)
Relative Dating
d)
Unconformity
3.
How does the law of crosscutting explain the age of a fault?
a)
The fault is younger than the rocks above it.
b)
The fault is younger than the rocks it cuts through.
c)
The fault is older than the rocks above it.
d)
The fault is older than the rocks it cuts through.
4.
What are the relative ages of the features in order from oldest to youngest?
a)
Limestone, Basalt, Fault, Siltstone
b)
Siltstone, Fault, Basalt, Limestone
c)
Limestone, Fault, Basalt, Siltstone
d)
Limestone, Siltstone, Fault, Basalt
5.
Which of the following is the oldest?
a)
Layer L
b)
Intrusion D
c)
Intrusion H
d)
Layer E
6.
How does sedimentary rock usually form?
a)
Vertically
b)
Diagonally
c)
Folding
d)
Horizontally
7.
The rock formation labeled "P" is a(n)...
a)
fault
b)
intrusion
c)
inclusion
d)
unconformity
8.
According to the law of superposition, which layer is the youngest?
a)
A
b)
B
c)
C
9.
The age of a rock compared to the ages of other rocks is the rock's
a)
absolute age
b)
geologic age
c)
sedimentary age
d)
relative age
10.
Analyze the seashell found in the white layer.  Which statement is true of the rock layer that contains this fossil?
a)
It could also contain a fossil from the bottom layer.
b)
It is older than the layers below it.
c)
It is younger than the layers above it.
d)
It is older than the layers above it.
11.
Traces or remains of organisms that lived long ago
a)
Fossil
b)
Unconformity
c)
Superposition
d)
Column
12.
Used to determine whether an object is older or younger than other objects
a)
Superposition
b)
Relative Dating
c)
Fossil
d)
Unconformity
13.

How do most fossils form?

a)

An insect becomes trapped in amber.

b)

An entire organism becomes frozen in ice.

c)

A dead organism becomes buried in sediment.

d)

A dead organism becomes buried in tar.

14.

Relative dating determines the

a)

precise age of fossils

b)

age of rock layers and fossils compared to others

c)

climate fossils survived in

d)

movement of continents

15.

An organism that no longer exists on Earth is called

a)

decayed

b)

evolved

c)

extinct

d)

preserved

16.

What is a fossil?

a)

The remains or physical evidence of an organism preserved by geologic processes

b)

Fossils can be preserved in rock, amber, asphalt, or ice

c)

Any naturally preserved evidence of animal activity

d)

Fossil of an organism that lived during a relatively short period of time

17.

How does absolute age differ from relative age?

a)

Only absolute dating indicates which rock is older than another

b)

Only absolute dating finds the age in years

c)

Only relative dating finds the age in years

18.

What is the correct order of the rock layers from oldest to youngest?

a)

F, E, C, B, A, D

b)

F, E, D, C, B, A

c)

A, B, C, D, E, F

d)

D, F, E, C, B, A

19.

Earth elements decay and change into another element in a process called_____________.

a)

radiation

b)

isotope

c)

radioactive decay

d)

half-life

20.

The __________of rocks is the numerical age and real age of rocks.

a)

relative age

b)

half-life

c)

absolute age

d)

earth age

21.

Geologist use _________ to determine the absolute age of rocks.

a)

absolute age dating

b)

relative age dating

c)

radiation dating

d)

radioactive dating

22.

All organisms contain the element_________, so it is used to find the ages of fossils.

a)

carbon-14

b)

carbon-12

c)

carbon

d)

carbon age

23.

Geologist use the time it takes for a radioactive isotope to decay to half its original mass called a___________.

a)

radioactive decay

b)

isotope

c)

half-life

d)

carbon dating

24.

Radioactive dating shows ___________ rocks are 4.6 billion years old.

a)

Earth rocks

b)

Moon rocks

c)

Earth and Moon rocks

d)

Radioactive rocks

25.

The moon was made from a piece of _________ .

a)

Moon

b)

Earth

c)

radioactive rocks

d)

rock

26.

Life on Earth has existed for more than _____________ years.

a)

3.6 million

b)

3 thousand

c)

3 billion

d)

4.6 billion

27.

A long-lived natually occurring radioactive carbon isotope:

a)

half-life

b)

Isotope

c)

Carbon-12

d)

Carbon-14

28.

The thermal energy transferred by electromagnetic waves is called ____________________

a)

half-life

b)

radiation

c)

radioactive decay

d)

carbon-14

29.

Using the graph, How much Carbon-14 does a 10,000 yr old fossil emit?

a)

10 %

b)

20 %

c)

30 %

d)

40 %

30.

How much Carbon-14 would a foosil that is 6,000 yrs old?

a)

about 40%

b)

about 50%

c)

about 60%

d)

about 70%

31.
How do geologists use relative dating?
a)
Placing rocks in order from youngest to oldest
b)
Placing rocks in order by minerals they contain
c)
Classifying rocks by different textures
d)
Classifying rocks by different isotopes
32.
Relative dating of rock layers tells us that the deeper we dig, _______.
a)
the younger the rocks get
b)
the smellier the rocks get
c)
the harder the rocks get
d)
the older the rocks get
33.
The youngest material of the ocean floor is found at mid-ocean _________.
a)
ridges
b)
trenches
c)
basins
d)
rifts
34.

Which of these choices is the best definition of absolute dating?

a)

determining the age of a rock layer by studying the fossils present

b)

finding the age of an object compared to other objects

c)

measuring the age of an object in years using any method

d)

determining the amount of a radioactive isotope in an object

35.

What is the method of measuring age that gives the most precise results?

a)

radioactive dating, when scientists measure the levels of an isotopic element inside of an object

b)

rate of sedimentation, which dates layers of Earth based on their thickness

c)

law of superposition, which dates layers of Earth based on their order

d)

B. relative dating, when scientists fill an object with carbon and measure how much will fit

36.

. Which of these statements describes what happens during radioactive decay?

a)

A Stable isotope interacts with an unstable isotope

b)

A stable isotope breaks down and becomes unstable

c)

An unstable isotope breaks down into a more stable isotope.

d)

An unstable isotope interacts with another unstable isotope.

37.

Trilobites are a species of invertebrate fossils commonly found in places such as the Grand Canyon, a large landform made of many rock layers and coastal Florida. Trilobites lived in shallow marine environments and varied widely in size.

a)

Trilobite fossils are in both rocky and marine areas proving that Earth has changed by natural processes. 

b)

Trilobite fossils are only in marine areas, showing how Earth has not been changed by natural processes. 

c)

Trilobite fossils are found in rock layers that were laid down by natural processes which no longer occurs today.

d)

 Trilobite fossils are found in marine areas under the Earth's surface compressed by natural processes over time. 

38.

the actual age of an event or object / use radioactive dating

a)

absolute age

b)

radiometric dating

c)

relative age

d)

index fossil

39.

The mostly solid, rocky part of the Earth; extends from the center of the core to the surface of the crust.

a)

Biosphere

b)

Lithoshpere

c)

Geosphere

d)

Hydrosphere

e)

atmosphere

40.

The crust and very top part of the mantle.

a)

Biosphere

b)

Lithoshpere

c)

Geosphere

d)

Hydrosphere

e)

atmosphere

41.

part of Earth in which life exists including land, water, and air or atmosphere

a)

Biosphere

b)

Lithoshpere

c)

Geosphere

d)

Hydrosphere

e)

atmosphere

42.

All the water on earth

a)

Biosphere

b)

Lithoshpere

c)

Geosphere

d)

Hydrosphere

e)

atmosphere

43.

A thin layer of gases surrounding Earth

a)

Biosphere

b)

Lithoshpere

c)

Geosphere

d)

Hydrosphere

e)

atmosphere

44.

Select all 4 major spheres of Earth

a)

Geosphere

b)

Biosphere

c)

Lithosphere

d)

Hydrosphere

e)

Atmosphere

45.
How old is the Earth?
a)
4.6 billion years
b)
1.4 billion years
c)
4.6 million years
d)
6000 years
46.
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
47.

A rock deep within the Earth experiences extreme temperature and pressure. After a long period of time it becomes which rock?

a)

Magma

b)

Igneous

c)

Metamorphic

d)

Sedimentary

48.

In ___________, unstable nuclei spontaneously decay into stable nuclei.

a)

Radiation

b)

Radioactivity

c)

Release

d)

Emission

49.

Those radionuclides that have the same atomic number but different mass number are known as

a)

Isobars

b)

Isotones

c)

Isotopes

d)

Radioisotopes

50.

The characteristics of radioactivity are: -

a)

It is a nuclear phenomenon

b)

Atoms undergo spontaneous, uncontrolled, continuous disintegration

c)

Independent of external factors

d)

No simultaneous emission of α and β, but emission of α and γ or β and γ possible

51.
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
52.

The original element that undergoes radioactive decay is known as the...

a)

daughter element

b)

half-life

c)

parent element

d)

radioactive decay

53.

The element that is the product of radioactive decay is known as the...

a)

daughter element

b)

half-life

c)

parent element

d)

carbon-14

54.
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
55.

If the half-life of a radioactive group of atoms is 300 years, then how old is the rock if there have been three half-lives?

a)

37.5 years

b)

100 years

c)

600 years

d)

900 years

56.

If the half-life of a radioactive group of atoms is 500 years, then how many half-lives have passed after 2000 years?

a)

1 half-life

b)

2 half-lives

c)

3 half-lives

d)

4 half-lives

57.

How many half-lives have passed if there 12.5% parent isotope left?

a)

1 half-life

b)

2 half-lives

c)

3 half-lives

d)

4 half-lives

58.

Which hypothesis proposes that a cloud of gas and dust collapsed and flattened due to gravity, leading to the formation of the solar system?

a)

Nebular Hypothesis

b)

Planetesimal Hypothesis

c)

Tidal Theory

d)

Protoplanet Hypothesis

59.

Which hypothesis suggests that a passing star or external perturbation triggers the collapse of a diffuse gas cloud, leading to star and planetary system formation?

a)

Nebular Theory

b)

Planetesimal Hypothesis

c)

Tidal Theory

d)

Protoplanet Hypothesis

60.

What is a major weakness of Tidal Theory?

a)

It fails to explain the role of external influences.

b)

It doesn't address the presence of interstellar gas clouds.

c)

It is too complex to understand.

d)

It lacks a clear mechanism for protostar formation.

61.

Which hypothesis emphasizes the impact of external perturbations on star and planet formation?

a)

Nebular Hypothesis

b)

Planetesimal Hypothesis

c)

Tidal Theory

d)

Protoplanet Hypothesis

62.

What are the most common elements in the universe?

a)

iron and steel

b)

hydrogen and helium

c)

carbon and lead

63.

States that the universe began as a hot and infinitely dense point.

a)

Origins of the Universe theory.

b)

String theory.

c)

Creation theory.

d)

Big Bang theory.

64.
Which piece of evidence supports the Big Bang theory?
a)
The more distant galaxies are moving the slowest
b)
The more distant galaxies are moving the quickest
c)
The more distant galaxies are moving towards us
d)
Galaxies and space is not changing
65.

According to the Big Bang theory, the universe has expanded from

a)

a very high-density and low-temperature state

b)

a very high-density and high-temperature state

c)

a very low-density and high-temperature state

d)

none of these

66.

How long ago has the Big Bang happen?

a)

17.799 ± 0.021 billion years

b)

13.799 ± 0.021 billion years

c)

20.799 ± 0.021 billion years

d)

15.799 ± 0.021 billion years

67.

The Cosmic Background Radiation is:

a)

the remaining energy from the big bang.

b)

incredibly hot.

c)

visible to the human eye.

d)

only located in certain places in the universe.

68.
Light waves that are stretched out by objects moving apart:
a)
have a shorter wavelength.
b)
travel faster than the speed of light.
c)
are invisible.
d)
appear more red.
69.

An infinitely small, infinitely dense, and infinitely hot point that is believed to have existed before the big bang.

a)

Singularity

b)

Antimatter

c)

Little bang

d)

condensation nuclei

70.

Who observed galaxies moving away from us?

a)

Hubble

b)

Lemaitre

c)

Penzias

d)

Wilson

71.

The change in wavelength that allows us to determine if an object if moving toward us or away from us

a)

Whiteshift and Blueshift

b)

Redshift and Greenshift

c)

Redshift and Blueshift

72.
Which of the following is the best description of the Big Bang Theory?
a)
The Big Bang Theory is the prevailing model about the universe’s origin and is supported by observations of the universe’s expansion.
b)
The Big Bang Theory is just one of the ideas about the universe’s origin, many of which are equally respected by the scientific community.
c)
The Big Bang Theory states that pre-existing matter was compacted into a hot and dense form and suddenly exploded into infinite, empty space.
d)
The Big Bang Theory is the scientific explanation of how the Sun, Earth, and the rest of the Solar System were formed at the beginning of time.
73.

The portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to the human eye 400-700nm

a)

Infrared Light

b)

Microwaves

c)

Ultraviolet Light

d)

Visible Light

74.

Cosmic Microwave Background

the radiation left over from the Big Bang was detected by Penzias and Wilson in 1965. Do microwaves contain high or low energy?

a)

High energy

b)

Low energy

75.

Research proved the universe still expanding; proved galaxies exist outside of the milky way; classification system for galaxies; hubble telescope named after him

a)

Albert Einstein

b)

Edwin Hubble

c)

Fred Hoyle

d)

Penzias and Wilson

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