Fossils

Front

What is absolute dating?

Back

A method used to determine the actual age of a rock or fossil by measuring radioactive isotopes.

Front

How old do scientists believe the Earth is?

Back

4.6 billion years old.

Front

What are fossils?

Back

Preserved remains or evidence of ancient living things.

Front

Why is the fossil record considered incomplete?

Back

Fossilization is rare and needs the right conditions.

Front

What is a cast fossil?

Back

A type of fossil created when minerals fill in the mold left by an organism.

Front

What is a mold fossil?

Back

A fossil that forms when an organism leaves an impression in sediment.

Front

What is a trace fossil?

Back

Fossils that provide evidence of the activity of ancient organisms, such as footprints.

Front

What conditions are necessary for fossilization?

Back

Rapid burial, low oxygen levels, and the presence of hard parts.

Front

What is the significance of the fossil record?

Back

It provides evidence of the history of life on Earth and shows how organisms have changed over time.

Front

What are the main types of fossils?

Back

Mold fossils, cast fossils, true form fossils, and trace fossils.