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What test do geologists use to discover the age of a fossil?

Geologists often use relative dating. When a fossil is found in a rock layer that has been dated, they know the age. If the fossil is found between two dated rock layers, they have an approximate age. If it's found above a dated layer, than it's younger, and vice versa. To date a layer of rock, radiometric dating is used. This measures the trace amount of a radioactive isotope, such as a uranium isotope or potassium isotope, which is then compared to its decay product, lead or argon, respectively, for these examples. More decay product and less of the original isotope means the layer is older, and vice versa. Index fossils can also be used. These are common fossils with a wide distribution that only existed for a short time. Then, when these are found in a rock layer, it is known that the rock layer formed when that organism existed.


What are two methods geologist use to determine the age of a rock?

Geologists use relative dating methods to determine the sequence of events that led to the formation of rocks by analyzing the layering of rocks. They also use absolute dating methods such as radiometric dating to determine the numerical age of rocks by measuring the decay of radioactive isotopes within them.


What two types of ages of rocks that geologists talk about?

Geologists talk about relative ages and absolute ages of rocks. Relative ages are determined by the order of rock layers, with younger layers on top and older layers at the bottom. Absolute ages are determined through radiometric dating methods to provide a specific age in years for a rock sample.


Does radioactive dating allow us to find relative or absolute age?

Absolute dating of rock is achieved by radiometric dating techniques. Relative dating is achieved by determining the position of rock in strata, and the appearance of certain index fossils. Relative dating was a precursor to absolute dating. Before absolute dating techniques were discovered, the age of a rock was a guesstimate at best. Radioactive dating allows us to find an approximate date. So if something is dated about a thousand years ago plus or minus a hundred years the object may be from sometime between 1,000 and 1,200 A.D.


Is relative dating the most accurate process by which geologists determine the age of a rock?

No. Absolute dating is the most precise method for dating rock. Absolute dating relies on the known rate of decay of radioactive elements present in the rock to arrive at a fairly precise age.

Related Questions

Can geologists use radioactive dating to find the absolute ages of extrusion or the intrusion?

yes they can they did it with aborinies


Can geologists use radioactive dating to find the absolute ages of the extrusion?

yes


What does radioactive dating enable geologists determine?

It helps determine the absolute ages of rocks


What do geologists use to determine the absolute ages of rock?

Radioactive dating is used to determine the absolute ages of rocks. By Jennifer Palos


What method do geologists to determine the absolute age of a rock?

Radioactive dating is used to determine the absolute ages of rocks. By Jennifer Palos


What method do geologists use to determined the absolute age of a rock?

Radioactive dating is used to determine the absolute ages of rocks. By Jennifer Palos


What method do geologists use to determine the absolute age of rocks?

Radioactive dating is used to determine the absolute ages of rocks. By Jennifer Palos


Geologists determine the absolute age of rocks using?

Geologists determine the absolute age of rocks using radiometric dating techniques, such as carbon dating or uranium-lead dating. These methods rely on measuring the proportions of radioactive isotopes and their decay products in the rocks to calculate how long ago they formed.


How does a geologist determine absolute age?

Geologists determine absolute age by using radiometric dating techniques that involve measuring the decay of radioactive isotopes in rocks or minerals. By analyzing the ratio of parent isotopes to daughter isotopes in a sample, geologists can calculate the absolute age of the rock formation. This method provides a numerical age in years for the rock layer or mineral.


What is one radioactive isotope the geologists can use to learn the exact age of the rock?

Absolute dating is a radioactive isotope the geologist can use to learn the exact age of the rock.


Can geologists use radioactive dating to find the absolute ages of sedimentary layer A B C D and E?

yes because its a rock


To determine the most accurate and precise age of the earths oldest rocks What would geologists use?

They would use absolute dating techniques which rely on the decay of radioactive isotopes found in association with the rock.