1.5.1 Fossil Formation, Dating, and Indexing Flashcards
1
Q
John Ray (1627–1705)
A
- identified fossils as the remains of living things
2
Q
absolute dating
A
- a method using radioactive isotopes to date fossils
3
Q
sedimentation
A
- Sediment covers the remains of organisms that collect on riverbeds (1) and (2). As time goes by, more sediment is deposited (3). Eventually the riverbed will dry up and the remains will become mineralized (4).
4
Q
isotope
A
- an alternative form of an element, gives off radiation
5
Q
half-life
A
- of an isotope is the number of years required for half of the isotope to decay into another element
- can be used to determine the age of a fossil
6
Q
Absolute dating of fossils
A
- can involve the use of radioactive isotopes
7
Q
Which statement about fossils is not true?
A
- Fossils generally contain large quantities of organic substances from the dead organism
8
Q
Many fossils are formed by __________________, a process in which layers of _______________ settle to form rocks that encapsulate dead organisms.
A
- sedimentation, minerals
9
Q
Which of the following is true about fossils?
A
- They can be an imprint of any organism
10
Q
True or false?
The type and location of rock strata are instrumental in determining the absolute age of a fossil.
A
- false
