Geoscience-midterm-practice3

Front

What is the Superposition Principle in relative geologic dating?

Back

In a stack of layered rocks, the lower layers are older than the upper layers.

Front

What does the Cross-cutting Principle state?

Back

If a geologic feature cuts through another, the feature that is cut is older.

Front

What is a Total Lunar Eclipse?

Back

A Total Lunar Eclipse occurs when the Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, completely covering the Moon.

Front

Define half-life in the context of radioactive decay.

Back

Half-life is the time required for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay.

Front

What is the significance of craters on Mars in geologic dating?

Back

Craters can indicate the relative ages of surfaces; older craters are typically more eroded and have fewer superimposed features.

Front

What is the difference between a Partial Solar Eclipse and a Total Solar Eclipse?

Back

In a Partial Solar Eclipse, only part of the Sun is obscured by the Moon, while in a Total Solar Eclipse, the Moon completely covers the Sun.

Front

What is an igneous intrusion?

Back

An igneous intrusion is a body of igneous rock that forms when magma cools and solidifies beneath the Earth's surface.

Front

How can sedimentary layers be used to determine relative age?

Back

Sedimentary layers are deposited in horizontal layers, with the oldest layers at the bottom and the youngest at the top.

Front

What is the role of decay curves in understanding isotopes?

Back

Decay curves illustrate the rate at which a radioactive isotope decays over time, helping to determine its half-life.

Front

What is the importance of geologic time scales?

Back

Geologic time scales provide a framework for understanding the timing and relationships of events in Earth's history.