In 1897, a British scientist proposed that Earth was between 20 and 400 million years old. Based on radiometric dating, scientists now propose a different age for Earth. Based on the most current radiometric dating data, about how old is Earth? (You may use your geologic time scale.)
40 billion years old
20 billion years old
4.6 billion years old
4.6 million years old
2. Multiple Choice
2 minutes
1 pt
Which of these choices is an example of the way a geologist would use relative dating?
determining the minerals that make up rocks
placing rock layers in order of oldest to youngest
classifying rocks as igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic
using radioactive isotopes to determine the exact age of rock samples
3. Multiple Choice
2 minutes
1 pt
A geologist is studying three layers of sedimentary rock in an area. The geologist records the relative ages of the rocks. The bottom layer is listed as the oldest. The top layer is listed as the youngest. What did the geologist use to determine the relative ages of the rocks?
mineral content
radioactive decay
the law of superposition
the principle of unconformity
4. Multiple Choice
30 seconds
1 pt
Which of the following provides the most useful information for determining the absolute ages of rocks?
Half life of radioactive elements
Relative positions of rock layers
Measurements of fossil bones
Chemical analysis of crystals
5. Multiple Choice
30 seconds
1 pt
The idea that the same geologic processes that slowly shape Earth today have always shaped Earth.
Change Theory
Uniformitarianism
Catastrophism
Predictability
6. Multiple Choice
30 seconds
1 pt
The law of superposition states:
Energy isn't created or destroyed, it is simply changes form
Each rock layer is older than the layer above it
Fossils are only as old as the rock layer they are found in
Intrusions are younger than the rock layer they are found in
7. Multiple Choice
20 seconds
1 pt
Absolute age is defined as:
The age of rock determined by radiometric dating.
The age of rock based on living animals.
The age of rock based on its location.
The age of rock determined by carbon dating.
8. Multiple Choice
1 minute
1 pt
The age of a rock compared to the ages of other rocks is the rock's
absolute age
geologic age
sedimentary age
relative age
9. Multiple Choice
20 seconds
1 pt
Which of the following correctly lists the layers in order from oldest to youngest?
A, B, C, D, E
E, B, C, D, A
E, D, C, B, A
C, B, A, D, E
10. Multiple Choice
20 seconds
1 pt
Which rock layer or intrusion is the youngest?
A
B
C
D
11. Multiple Choice
20 seconds
1 pt
Trilobites are good index fossils because.... (pick the best answer).
abundant, large
abundant, widespread geographically, and only lived a short time
only lived for a short time period
were large carbonized
12. Multiple Choice
20 seconds
1 pt
Letter "F" is a....
inclusion
intrusion
fault
unconformity
13. Multiple Choice
20 seconds
1 pt
True or False: The geologic record can help scientists to determine past environment and climate conditions.
True
False
Maybe
Sometimes
14. Multiple Choice
20 seconds
1 pt
Which fossil would make a good index fossil?
A
B
C
D
15. Multiple Choice
20 seconds
1 pt
True or False: An intrusion and fault are ALWAYS younger than the rock they cut through.
True: because the rock layers must be there initially - the fault or intrusion cannot occur in nothing.
False: they are always younger.
16. Multiple Choice
20 seconds
1 pt
According to the law of superposition, which layer is the youngest?
A
B
C
17. Multiple Choice
20 seconds
1 pt
Which rock layer was formed most recently?
Permian
Carboniferous
Silurian
Cambrian
18. Multiple Choice
3 minutes
1 pt
An ordered arrangement of rock layers that is based on the relative ages of the rocks
Superposition
Unconformity
Layered
Geologic Column
19. Multiple Choice
1 minute
1 pt
What are the relative ages of the features in order from oldest to youngest?
Limestone, Basalt, Fault, Siltstone
Siltstone, Fault, Basalt, Limestone
Limestone, Fault, Basalt, Siltstone
Limestone, Siltstone, Fault, Basalt
20. Multiple Choice
3 minutes
1 pt
What percent of carbon-14 would be left after 11,460 years? (2 half lives)