Earth Study Guide 1

What is the difference between relative and absolute age dating?

• Relative age dating only explains the sequence of events while absolute age dating provides an exact numerical age.

• Relative age dating uses radioactive decay while absolute age dating follows stratigraphy.

• Relative age dating provides numerical dates, whereas absolute age dating only gives the order of events.

• Both methods provide the exact age of rocks.

How can you tell how a rock is older or younger than another rock? Select the method used:

• Using the principle of superposition (relative dating)

• By measuring its thickness

• By comparing its weight

• Through chemical composition analysis

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Differentiate between a paleontologist and a geologist.

• A paleontologist studies fossils while a geologist studies the Earth's structure and materials.

• A paleontologist studies rocks while a geologist studies fossils.

• Both paleontologists and geologists study fossils.

• Both paleontologists and geologists study the Earth's structure.

What does superposition say about the sequence of rock layers?

• In any undisturbed sequence of rock layers, the oldest rocks are on the bottom.

• In any undisturbed sequence of rock layers, the youngest rocks are on the bottom.

• Rock layers are randomly ordered.

• Rock layers are not subject to layering laws.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Put rock layers in order from oldest to youngest

• E,A,D,B,C

• C,B,A,E,D

• C,B,A,D,E

• D,E,A,B,C

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

What is an inclusion and a fault?

• An inclusion is a foreign material within a rock and a fault is a fracture in the rock layers.

• An inclusion is a fracture in the rock layers and a fault is a foreign material within a rock.

• Both an inclusion and a fault refer to foreign materials within rocks.

• Both an inclusion and a fault refer to fractures in the rock layers.

Fossils form in which rock type?

• Metamorphic

• Sedimentary

• Igneous

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

What is an index fossil?

• It has a wide geographic distribution and a short stratigraphic range.

• It is found only in one specific area and spans a long geologic time period.

• It is rare and found only in pristine, isolated locations.

• It is the fossil of the most dominant species during its time period.

Identify what an index fossil is

• A fossil used to define the age range of rock layers

• A fossil that is rare and found only in one location

• A fossil used to measure the size of rock formations

• A fossil used primarily for decorative purposes

What is radiometric dating?

• It involves calculating decay rates of elements, where a half-life is the time taken for half of the substance to decay.

• It is a way to determine temperature changes over time, and a half-life is the total decay period.

• It analyzes the sound frequency of materials, and a half-life is the duration of sound decay.

• It is a method of measuring distances using radio waves and a half-life is the time taken for signal loss.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8