Formation of the Solar System & Early Earth

Front

Which best describes a fossil that helps determine the relative age of a rock layer? Options: trace fossil, index fossil, radioactive fossil, unconformity fossil

Back

index fossil

Answer explanation

An index fossil is a species that was widespread but existed for a short period, making it useful for dating rock layers. It helps determine the relative age of the rock layer in which it is found, unlike trace or radioactive fossils.

Front

The index fossil of a type of trilobite is discovered in layer A of a set of rock layers found at three different sites of a field investigation. Which conclusion can be made about the rocks in layer A at all three sites?

Back

The rocks are all about the same age

Answer explanation

The presence of the same index fossil in layer A at all three sites indicates that the rocks were formed during the same time period, suggesting they are all about the same age.

Front

Most scientists believe the Big Bang Theory explains which of the following questions? How our planets and moons formed, How our universe began, How the sun turns hydrogen into helium, How fast light travels through space

Back

How our universe began

Answer explanation

The Big Bang Theory primarily addresses how our universe began, explaining the origin of space, time, and matter. The other options relate to specific processes or phenomena that are not covered by this theory.

Front

Back

The number of protons

Front

Back

Electrons

Front

Back

Protons and Neutrons

Front

Isotopes of an element have a different number of...

Back

Neutrons

Answer explanation

Isotopes of an element differ in the number of neutrons they contain. While they have the same number of protons and electrons, the variation in neutrons leads to different mass numbers, making 'neutrons' the correct answer.

Front

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

Back

parent element

Answer explanation

The original element that undergoes radioactive decay is called the parent element. It transforms into a daughter element as it decays, but the term specifically for the starting material is the parent element.

Front

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

Back

daughter element

Answer explanation

The product of radioactive decay is called the daughter element, which forms as the parent element undergoes decay. The parent element is the original unstable isotope, while the daughter element is the stable or less unstable product.

Front

Scientist think the Earth is ___ years old.

Back

4.6 billion

Answer explanation

Scientists estimate the Earth is approximately 4.6 billion years old based on radiometric age dating of the oldest rocks and meteorites. This makes '4.6 billion' the correct choice.