There are several ways of identifying the age of fossils.
Stratigraphic Method
Literally counting the layers or strata of the rock. If you can determine the age of one layer then on most occasions you can count the number of layers down.
Also connected with stratification is Magnetic Stratigraphy. It is thought that Earths magnetic field reverses every 300,000 years (although it is estimated this last happened 780,000 years ago). When certain sedimentary and volcanic layers are laid down elements in the rock align with Earths magnetic field. As you go down the layers of rock you can measure which way the elements are aligned and thus determine the age.
Radiometric Method
Certain radioactive elements can be used to date fossils. Volcanic rock has no lead when it is laid down. However it does contain Uranium. If you compare the ration between U-235 and Pb-207 accurate dates can be determined. Also important is potassium and argon. Ratio's between K-40 and Ar-40 can determine the age of the fossil.
If the fossil is very young (less than 60,000 years) Carbon 14 can also be used. So called carbon dating.
Index Method
Certain animals and plants were wide spread on earth. We also through other methods have determined accurate dates for these index fossils. If you find an index fossil in the same layer as a fossil you can tell the age.
Because, similar fossils could be found on different continents, in rocks of the same age.
Brea Tar Pits and Natural History Museum in LA.
They are mostly found in Sedimentary Rocks
The discovery of fossils on mountain tops supports the theory of plate tectonics, as it indicates that these areas were once at lower elevations where fossils could form. Over time, the movement of tectonic plates pushed these areas upwards to form mountains, carrying the fossils with them. This provides evidence of the dynamic nature of the Earth's crust and the processes that shape the planet's surface.
In the Allegheny Plateau, you might find fossils of ancient marine life such as trilobites, which thrived in the ocean that once covered the region. Additionally, plant fossils like coal, indicative of the area's extensive prehistoric forests, are common. Lastly, you could encounter fossils of early amphibians or reptiles, reflecting the transition of life from water to land during the late Paleozoic era.
A scientist might use a model as a research method for a few reasons. This model could tell the scientist how something moves for example.
of course they can by carbon-14 dating.
Ask it politely.
Every thing could go wrong and someone can get hurt?
analyze their genetic material
A scientist can determine if a behavior is instinctual by observing if it is present in all individuals of a species, without the need for prior experience. To determine if a behavior is learned, the scientist can observe if the behavior changes over time based on experience or environmental factors. Controlled experiments and behavioral studies can also help differentiate between instinctual and learned behaviors.
So he/she could look at the data again if something goes wrong.
So he/she could look at the data again if something goes wrong.
remote sensing i think yea.
Rub them together and see which one gets scratched.
Students could be seen to be acting as scientist if they are following the scientific method - Make observations, postulate a hypothesis, and form and complete experiments or further observations to confirm or refute that hypothesis.
Crocodiles could be considered to be "living fossils" as they have survived on Earth from the time of the dinosaurs.