27
practice examMultiple Choice

Practice Exam

Question 27 • Physics in the Universe

Which statement accurately describes the applications and limitations of absolute-age dating methods?

Answer
A
Dendrochronology is useful for dating rocks.
B
Radiocarbon dating can't be used to date materials older than 50,000 years.
C
Varves are best for dating dinosaur fossils.
D
Uranium-lead dating is the most precise method for dating organic material.

Explanation

Radiocarbon dating measures carbon-14, which decays at a known rate, but too little remains to measure reliably in materials older than about 50,000 years. Therefore, the accurate statement is that radiocarbon dating cannot be used for materials older than that limit. Dendrochronology dates wood, varves are layered lake sediments, and uranium-lead dating is used mainly for rocks and minerals—not organic material.

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