Fossil Dating Science Worksheet
Explore the methods scientists use to determine the age of fossils and understand Earth's history.
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Standards
Topics
Fossil Dating: Uncovering Earth's Past
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Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. This worksheet will test your knowledge of fossil dating methods.
1. Which dating method estimates the age of a fossil by comparing its position in rock layers to other fossils?
Absolute dating
Relative dating
Carbon dating
Stratigraphy
2. What is the process by which unstable isotopes decay into stable isotopes over time, used in absolute dating?
Fossilization
Radioactive decay
Erosion
Sedimentation
3. The time it takes for half of a radioactive isotope to decay is called its .
4. Index fossils are useful for dating because they lived for a relatively short period and were widespread.
5. Absolute dating methods provide a precise numerical age for fossils.
True
False
6. Explain the principle of superposition and how it applies to relative dating.
Observe the image below showing layers of rock. Based on the principle of superposition, which layer is likely the oldest?
Match the dating method with its description.
7. Relative Dating
a. Uses radioactive decay to determine age
8. Absolute Dating
b. Compares fossil position in rock layers
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