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.
If a scientist finds trace fossils showing a path in the sand from a snail-like animal, they might learn about the animal's movement patterns, behavior, and habitat preferences. The trail can indicate how the animal navigated its environment, whether it was foraging for food or escaping predators. Additionally, the depth and width of the trail could provide insights into the size and physical characteristics of the animal. Overall, these trace fossils can help reconstruct the ecological dynamics of the environment in which the animal lived.
A scientist studying a sedimentary rock formation might use relative dating methods to determine the sequence of rock layers and their relative ages based on the principle of superposition. To complement this, they could apply absolute dating techniques, such as radiometric dating, to obtain precise ages for specific layers or fossils within those layers. This combined approach provides a more comprehensive understanding of the geological history and the timing of events in the formation's development.
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
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.
Every thing could go wrong and someone can get hurt?
Ask it politely.
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.
If a scientist finds trace fossils showing a path in the sand from a snail-like animal, they might learn about the animal's movement patterns, behavior, and habitat preferences. The trail can indicate how the animal navigated its environment, whether it was foraging for food or escaping predators. Additionally, the depth and width of the trail could provide insights into the size and physical characteristics of the animal. Overall, these trace fossils can help reconstruct the ecological dynamics of the environment in which the animal lived.
After forming a hypothesis, a scientist is most likely to design and conduct experiments to test the hypothesis. This involves collecting data and making observations to determine whether the results support or refute the hypothesis. Based on the findings, the scientist may then analyze the data and draw conclusions, which could lead to further experimentation or the modification of the hypothesis.
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.