Fossils & Relative Age

Front

What are fossils?

Back

Fossils are the remains or traces of ancient plants and animals that have been preserved in rock.

Front

Who studies fossils?

Back

Paleontologists are scientists who study fossils to learn about past life on Earth.

Front

What type of rock do we usually find fossils in?

Back

Fossils are usually found in sedimentary rock.

Front

What does the term 'relative age' mean?

Back

Relative age refers to the age of a rock or fossil compared to other rocks or fossils.

Front

Which rock layer is usually the oldest?

Back

The bottom layer of rock is usually the oldest.

Front

What can scientists infer from fossils?

Back

Scientists can infer information about the environment and conditions that existed when the organism was alive.

Front

What is sedimentary rock?

Back

Sedimentary rock is a type of rock formed by the accumulation of sediments, often containing fossils.

Front

What is the Law of Superposition?

Back

The Law of Superposition states that in undisturbed rock layers, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest are at the top.

Front

What is an example of a fossil?

Back

An example of a fossil is a dinosaur bone or a leaf imprint.

Front

What do paleontologists use to study fossils?

Back

Paleontologists use tools like brushes, chisels, and sometimes even computers to study fossils.