Fossil Dating Worksheet

Fossil Dating: Understanding Earth's Past

Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. This worksheet assesses your understanding of various fossil dating techniques and their applications.

1. Which dating method relies on the principle of superposition, where older layers of rock are found below younger layers?

2. What is the approximate half-life of Carbon-14?

3. The Law of   states that in an undisturbed sequence of sedimentary rocks, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest are at the top.

4. Absolute dating methods typically involve the use of   isotopes.

5. Fossils used to define and identify geologic periods are known as   fossils.

6. Radiometric dating can be used to date igneous rocks, but not sedimentary rocks directly.

7. The half-life of a radioactive isotope is affected by changes in temperature or pressure.

8. Explain the difference between relative dating and absolute dating methods.

9. Describe how the Law of Faunal Succession is used in relative dating.

10. Observe the image of geological layers below. If Layer A is the oldest and Layer D is the youngest, arrange the fossils found in layers B, C, and D from oldest to youngest, and explain your reasoning.