Relative vs. Absolute Dating

Unlock the secrets of Earth's past! Master relative vs. absolute dating.

Vocabulary: Relative Dating Match the vocabulary word with the correct definition. Law of Superposition states younger rocks lie on top of older rocks Relative Dating When the age of a rock or fossil is found compared to other rocks and fossils Vocabulary: Rock Disturbances Match the vocabulary word with the correct definition. Unconformity a missing "gap" of time in the geologic record Tilting when rock layers turn on an angle Intrusions & Extrusions Igneous rock layers formed by volcanic activity Faults breaks in the Earth's crust Multiple Choice: What is the most likely order according to the photo below? A , B, C, D , then layers were broken by a fault (shown at letter E) C, B, A , D, then layers were broken by a fault (shown at letter E) Layers were broken by a fault, C, B, A , D None of the above Vocabulary: Absolute Dating Match the vocabulary word with the correct definition. Parent Isotope The unstable isotope that decays into the final product Daughter Isotope The stable isotope that results from radioactive decay Half-Life The time it takes half of the parent isotope to decay into the daughter isotope Absolute Dating Another term for when radiometric dating is used to find the actual age of a rock or fossil Parent and Daughter Isotope Match the Parent Isotope with the corresponding Daughter Isotope. Carbon Dating used to date former living remains less than 60,000 years Uranium-Lead Method used to date volcanic rocks & lunar rocks older than a million years Relative or Absolute Dating Sort the words as either relative or absolute dating. Relative Dating Law of Superposition younger vs. older Affected by Unconformities Rock Disturbances Uses Index Fossils Absolute Dating Half-Life Carbon Dating Based on Radioactive Decay Numerical Age The absolute age of a rock is the approximate numerical age of when that the rock or fossil formed. The absolute age of an igneous rock can best be determined by comparing the amounts of decayed and undecayed radioactive isotopes in the rock. comparing the sizes of the crystals found in the upper and lower parts of the rock examining the rock's relative position in a rock outcrop examining the environment in which the rock is found An archaeologist found an ancient skeleton estimated to be 10,000 to 25,000 years old. Which radioactive isotope would be most useful for finding the age of the skeleton? carbon - 14 potassium - 40 uranium - 238 rubidium - 87