Geologic Time and Dating Test Review
______ / + 3 points on test
Name____________________________________________________Date____________________Period ____________
1. How old is the Earth?
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2. Use the three 4 era’s to answer the following:
a. Which era is the longest?
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b. Which era is the “Age of the Reptiles”?
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c. Which are we currently in?
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3. Explain the difference between relative and absolute dating:
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4. Use the following picture to explain how each principle of relative dating applies:
Law of Superpostion: ______________________________________________
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Principle of Cross-Cutting Relationship: _______________________________
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Principle of Inclusions (Add an inclusion to the picture first): ______________
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For the following statements, decide if it is describing absolute or relative dating:
5. __________________ Mrs. Price is 32 years old.
6. __________________ Anthem is older than Boulder Creek High School
7. __________________ That rock is older than my lunch.
8. __________________ The pizza is 3 days old, don’t eat it.
9. What 2 things can geologist learn from tree rings?
a. ___________________________________________________________________________
b. ___________________________________________________________________________
10. What 2 things can geologist learn from ice cores?
a. __________________________________________________________________________
b. __________________________________________________________________________
11. Explain what a carbon half-life is:
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12. What is the difference between a mold and a cast?
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13. What do the following types of fossil evidence tell us about the past? (hint, this is from the webquest)
 The contents of fossil nests:
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 Fossil shells on mountain tops:
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 Shapes of leaf edges:
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 Fossil Pollen:
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Put the rock layers in the correct order:
Youngest
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Youngest
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Oldest
Oldest
14. Explain which, a clam or a spider, has a better chance of becoming a fossil:
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15. Can radiocarbon dating be used to determine the age of a dinosaur bone? Explain.
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