Absolute Dating Answers

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1
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Study the diagram of radioactive decay.

Question illustration
A
atoms and elements
B
elements and gas
C
energy and particles
D
gas and atoms
3

Which phrase describes carbon-14 dating?

A
uses the rate at which nitrogen-14 decays into carbon-14
B
dates the remains of organisms to determine when they died
C
measures the number of unstable elements in ancient volcanic rocks
D
determines the age of ancient fossils older than 50,000 years old
4

Which statement accurately describes radioactive dating?

A
Geologists use only one type of radioactive dating.
B
Geologists compare parent and daughter elements to determine rock type.
C
Geologists will measure how stable multiple parent elements can decay into multiple daughter elements.
D
Geologist compare the observed abundance of naturally occurring radioactive isotopes and their decay products using decay rates.
5

Which phrase describes one characteristic of radioactive elements?

A
are produced in a laboratory
B
decay at a constant rate
C
have a consistent number of particles
D
release energy and particles to maintain radioactivity
6

Which statement explains how determining the age of the remains of living things is similar to dating rocks?

A
Organisms and rocks both contain stable and unstable elements.
B
Organisms contain the same unstable elements as those found in rocks.
C
Elements in rocks decay at the same rate as elements in the remains of organisms.
D
Rocks and organisms both have gases trapped inside that are measured to determine age.
7

The chart shows rate of decay.

Question illustration
A
years of decay
B
quantity of energy
C
number of stable atoms
D
amount of material that has not decayed
8

How is radioactive decay used to date sedimentary rocks?

A
The amounts of potassium and argon in sedimentary rocks are measured.
B
The amounts of carbon-14 and nitrogen in sedimentary rocks are measured.
C
The amounts of unstable elements in each layer of the sedimentary rocks are compared.
D
The amounts of unstable elements in the volcanic layers above and below the sedimentary layers are measured.

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