Relative Dating of Fossils
Explore the principles of relative dating to understand the age of fossils and rock layers in this Grade 6 science worksheet.
Includes
Standards
Topics
Relative Dating of Fossils
Name:
Date:
Score:
Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. This worksheet will test your knowledge of relative dating and how scientists determine the age of fossils.
1. What principle states that in undisturbed rock layers, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest are at the top?
Principle of Original Horizontality
Principle of Superposition
Principle of Cross-Cutting Relationships
Principle of Faunal Succession
2. Relative dating helps scientists determine the age of rocks and fossils, not their exact age.
3. An fossil is a fossil that is widespread geographically and existed for a relatively short period of time, making it useful for dating rock layers.
4. Younger rock layers are always found beneath older rock layers.
True
False
5. Observe the image below. Which fossil (A, B, or C) is the oldest and why?
Match the term on the left with its definition on the right.
6. Superposition
a. The preserved remains or traces of organisms
7. Fossil
b. The process of determining if one rock or geologic event is older or younger than another
8. Relative Dating
c. Principle that states older layers of rock are found below younger layers
Related Worksheets
Earth's Spin and Orbit
Explore the concepts of Earth's rotation and revolution, their causes, and their effects on day/night cycles and seasons.
Planets of Our Solar System
Explore the planets in our solar system with this interactive worksheet, covering key characteristics and facts.
Moon Phases Worksheet
Explore the different phases of the Moon and understand the science behind them with this Grade 6 worksheet.
Weather and Climate Worksheet
Explore the fundamentals of weather and climate, including the water cycle, atmospheric conditions, and factors influencing climate patterns.
Earthquakes and Volcanoes
Explore the forces that shape our planet with this Grade 6 science worksheet on earthquakes and volcanoes, covering their causes, effects, and related terminology.
The Carbon Cycle
An educational worksheet for 6th graders to learn about the carbon cycle, its components, and its importance in Earth's systems.
Land and Sea Breeze Worksheet
Explore the concepts of land breeze and sea breeze, understanding their causes and effects on coastal weather patterns.
Earth's Systems Worksheet
Explore the interconnected systems of Earth: atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere.