Relative vs. Absolute Age Evaluate

Match the following term with the correct description.

• Taylor Swift

• dating Travis Kelce

• relative age

• actual age of a rock sample

• absolute age

• estimated age of a rock sample

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS1-6

Looking at the picture below and according to the Law of Superposition, which rock layer is the oldest?

• A

• B

• C

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

Looking at the picture below and according to the Law of Superposition, which rock layer is the youngest?

• A

• B

• C

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

A geologist in the field examines a series of rock units. She observes that the rocks at the base of the sequence are much older than the layer directly above it. Which of the following principles best explains this discovery?

• The principle of lateral continuity

• The principle of superposition

• The principle of original horizontality

• 
  The principle of cross-cutting relationships

Match each example of a rock formation or event to the correct geologic principle that describes it.

• principle of superposition

• 
  

  A rock outcrop shows horizontal layers of rock.

• 
  

  principle of inclusions

• A layer of sandstone is deposited on top of an older layer of rock.

• 
  

  principle of cross-cutting relationship

• 
  

  An igneous intrusion cuts through several layers of older rock, and lies underneath several layers of younger rock.

• 
  

  principle of original horizontality

• 
  

  Small pieces of older igneous rock are found within a layer of younger sedimentary rock.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The diagram shows layers of rock and rock features labeled A, B, C, and D. Place the letters of the features in the correct order from youngest to oldest.

Place the oldest layer at the end of the list.

• B

• A

• C

• D

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

What do scientists call gaps or missing segments of Earth's history in the rock record?

• inclusion

• unconformity

• half-life

• isotope

True or False: Using radiometric dating, scientists have established the age of Earth to be about 4.6 billion years old. This is an example of an absolute age because the age in years has been calculated.

• True

• False

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-6

What is it called when a parent isotope breaks down into a daughter isotope?

• radioactive decay

• explosive

• rotting

• none of the above

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

The half-life of a radioactive substance is the amount of time it takes for _____ of the parent atom to decay.

• 1/4

• 1/2

• 3/4

• all

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8