Relative Age, Absolute Age, Fossils, and more!
By: M. Ehrhardt and R. Shoffner
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Why we chose this topic:
We chose this topic because Earth History was the best unit we covered in science this year. It was an interesting topic. Learning the Law of Superposition was helpful when doing relative age. We enjoyed learning about the different types of fossils. We also had fun learning about relative and absolute age, and radioactive dating. The geologic timescale was very interesting. We enjoyed learning about the different periods of Earth's history. We also had fun learning about the different rock layers. Intrusions, extrusions, and faults were very interesting and fun. We also think half-life was a very helpful topic to learn about. Enjoy the webpage!
We chose this topic because Earth History was the best unit we covered in science this year. It was an interesting topic. Learning the Law of Superposition was helpful when doing relative age. We enjoyed learning about the different types of fossils. We also had fun learning about relative and absolute age, and radioactive dating. The geologic timescale was very interesting. We enjoyed learning about the different periods of Earth's history. We also had fun learning about the different rock layers. Intrusions, extrusions, and faults were very interesting and fun. We also think half-life was a very helpful topic to learn about. Enjoy the webpage!
Relative Age:
When scientists date rock layers or fossils they use one of two methods. One method is relative age. Relative age is when experts use the Law of Superposition or index fossils to date the rock layers or fossils. The Law of Superposition states that in undisturbed rock layers, the layers on the bottom are older than the above rock layers. Index fossils are fossils that lived for a short period of time and were very widespread. They are used to relatively date rock layers.
Absolute Age:
Absolute age is when scientists use radioactive dating to determine the exact age of the material. Radioactive dating is when scientists use the half-life of a material to determine its age. The half-life of a material is the time it takes for half of the radioactive material to decay and become stable.
Absolute age is when scientists use radioactive dating to determine the exact age of the material. Radioactive dating is when scientists use the half-life of a material to determine its age. The half-life of a material is the time it takes for half of the radioactive material to decay and become stable.
This is a picture of a mammoth preserved in ice.
Fossils:
There are five main types of fossils. One type of fossil is mold and cast. This is when a fossil goes in a layer of sediment, then the sediment hardens and forms a mold. Then a new layer of sediment fills in a mold, hardens, forming a cast. Another type is petrified fossils. This is when a fossils is completely replaced by minerals. Carbon Films are another type of fossil. They are thin film coatings that are mostly made of the element carbon. Trace fossils are fossils that show evidence of the organisms activities. The last fossil type is preserved remains. This is when pieces of the original organism are preserved. An example of a preserved remain fossil is a wooly mammoth that is frozen in ice.
There are five main types of fossils. One type of fossil is mold and cast. This is when a fossil goes in a layer of sediment, then the sediment hardens and forms a mold. Then a new layer of sediment fills in a mold, hardens, forming a cast. Another type is petrified fossils. This is when a fossils is completely replaced by minerals. Carbon Films are another type of fossil. They are thin film coatings that are mostly made of the element carbon. Trace fossils are fossils that show evidence of the organisms activities. The last fossil type is preserved remains. This is when pieces of the original organism are preserved. An example of a preserved remain fossil is a wooly mammoth that is frozen in ice.
Plate Boundaries:
The earths plate boundaries are constantly moving. One type is convergent. These plates move towards each others. Another type is divergent plate boundaries. These move away from each other. Transform boundaries slide past each other, this is how earthquakes occur. Many years ago before the continents moved to where they are today, all of the continents were together. This super continent was called Pangea.
The earths plate boundaries are constantly moving. One type is convergent. These plates move towards each others. Another type is divergent plate boundaries. These move away from each other. Transform boundaries slide past each other, this is how earthquakes occur. Many years ago before the continents moved to where they are today, all of the continents were together. This super continent was called Pangea.
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