Dating Fossils

The diagram shows fossils in different rock layers. Which of these statements about the age of these fossils is most likely correct?

• Fossil A and C are the same age
  

• Fossil B is older than fossil C

• Fossils A is older than fossil B

• Fossil D is older than fossil C

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Relative age dating is used to determine the...

• actual age of an event

• length of time between two events

• age of one event in comparison with other events

• rate at which a gologic process occurs

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Traces or remains of organisms that lived long ago

• Fossil

• Unconformity

• Superposition

• Column

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

The Geologic Time Scale is a record of what?

• old geologists

• sweet geology music

• the known history of rocks and fossils

• a list of every living thing ever

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

In what way can scientists determine the ages of fossils?

• relative dating

• radioactive dating

• law of superposition

• All of the above

Which method is commonly used to date fossils?

• Carbon dating

• Thermometer testing

• Using a calendar

• Measuring the height of the fossil

Tags

DOK Level 1: Recall

How do we measure the age of a fossil in years?

• variation

• absolute dating

• selection

• mutation

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

How do the methods used to date fossils help in understanding the timeline of life on Earth?

• They allow for the precise measurement of the Earth's age

• They help correlate layers of rock with periods of time and evolutionary events

• They provide exact dates for all events in Earth's history

• They are only used for dating human artifacts

Tags

DOK Level 4: Extended Thinking

Match the following

• half-life

• used to determine the actual age of a fossil

• relative dating

• length of time required for half of the radioactive isotope to decay

• absolute dating

• determine fossil age by comparing its placement in layers of rock

What challenges do scientists face when dating fossils?

• Fossils are too easy to find

• Some fossils are too old for radiocarbon dating

• All fossils are the same age

• Fossils can talk and give misleading information

Tags

DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking