Question 1

What is the ratio of parent-to-daughter atoms when exactly one half-life has elapsed?
A) 1:1
B) 1:2
C) 1:3

Accepted Answer

After one half-life, half of the parent atoms have decayed into daughter atoms, resulting in a 1:1 ratio.

Question 2

Examine the image below before answering this question. D represents a magma chamber.
 
-Which relative time principle assumes that G is older than F?
A) Superposition
B) Cross-cutting
C) Original horizontality
D) Inclusions

Accepted Answer

The principle of superposition states that in an undisturbed sequence of sedimentary rocks, the oldest layers are at the bottom, so G would be older than F if G is below F.

Question 3

Examine the image below before answering this question. D represents a magma chamber.
 
-Which relative time principle assumes that D is younger than G?
A) Superposition
B) Cross-cutting
C) Original horizontality
D) Inclusions

Accepted Answer

B

Question 4

Examine the image below before answering this question. D represents a magma chamber.
 
-What is the correct order of the events from oldest to youngest?
A) D,B,A,G,C,F
B) G,C,F,D,B,A
C) A,B,D,F,G,C
D) F,C,G,A,B,D

Accepted Answer

The answer of Examine the image below before answering this...

Question 5

Carefully examine the relative positions of the lettered arrows on the timeline below and estimate the ages represented by each arrow. Assume all rocks are sedimentary unless otherwise indicated. Use the chart to answer this question.
 
-Which represents the extinction of the dinosaurs?
A) A
B) B
C) C
D) D
E) E

Accepted Answer

The extinction of the dinosaurs is represented by the letter A.

Question 6

Carefully examine the relative positions of the lettered arrows on the timeline below and estimate the ages represented by each arrow. Assume all rocks are sedimentary unless otherwise indicated. Use the chart to answer this question.
 
-Which represents the oldest known rocks?
A) A
B) B
C) C
D) D
E) E

Accepted Answer

The answer of Carefully examine the relative positions of the...

Question 7

Carefully examine the relative positions of the lettered arrows on the timeline below and estimate the ages represented by each arrow. Assume all rocks are sedimentary unless otherwise indicated. Use the chart to answer this question.
 
-Which represents the Cambrian explosion?
A) A
B) B
C) C
D) D
E) E

Accepted Answer

The answer of Carefully examine the relative positions of the...

Question 8

Use the diagram below to answer the questions that follow.
 
-Which represents rocks that formed before A but after E?
A) F
B) G
C) C
D) D
E) E

Accepted Answer

The answer of Use the diagram below to answer the...

Question 9

Use the diagram below to answer the questions that follow.
 
-Which represents rocks composed of granite and is older than F?
A) A
B) H
C) C
D) D
E) E

Accepted Answer

The answer of Use the diagram below to answer the...

Question 10

Use the diagram below to answer the questions that follow.
 
-Which represents a sedimentary rock that did not experience contact metamorphism?
A) A
B) B
C) C
D) D
E) E

Accepted Answer

Sedimentary rocks that have not experienced contact metamorphism remain unchanged by heat and pressure, retaining their original sedimentary characteristics.

Question 11

Using the diagram below, what is the possible age of F if A is 100 million years old and D is 70 million
 years old?
A) 85 M yrs
B) 170 M yrs
C) 55 M yrs
D) 110 M yrs

Accepted Answer

The answer of Using the diagram below, what is the...

Question 12

Which graph below best represents the change in the proportion of unstable (parent) radioactive isotopes
 with time?
A) Graph a
B) Graph b
C) Graph c
D) Graph d

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which graph below best represents the change...

Question 13

Which geologic time principle places events in order based on their position?
A) Relative time
B) Numerical time
C) Deep time

Accepted Answer

Relative time is the principle that places events in order based on their position in the rock record, without providing specific numerical ages.

Question 14

Which geologic time principle states that older geologic units are below younger geologic units?
A) Principle of superposition
B) Principle of cross cutting relations
C) Principle of original horizontality

Accepted Answer

The Principle of Superposition states that in an undisturbed sequence of sedimentary rocks, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest are at the top.

Question 15

Why did Steno propose what eventually became known as the principle of original horizontality?
A) To defend Biblical accounts for the formation of the earth.
B) To explain the existence of fossils found in rocks he was studying.
C) To explain that the earth must be very old based on his observations.

Accepted Answer

Steno proposed the principle of original horizontality to explain that sedimentary layers are originally deposited horizontally, which helped him understand the presence and formation of fossils within these layers.

Question 16

Why did Hutton propose what eventually became known as the principle of superposition?
A) To defend Biblical accounts for the formation of the earth.
B) To explain the existence of fossils found in rocks he was studying.
C) To explain that the earth must be very old based on his observations.

Accepted Answer

Hutton proposed the principle of superposition to support his idea that the Earth is very old, as it suggests that layers of rock are deposited over time, with the oldest layers at the bottom.

Question 17

What must be true of a rock unit that is cut by an igneous intrusion?
A) The rock unit is the same age as the intrusion.
B) The rock unit is younger than the intrusion.
C) The rock unit is older than the intrusion.

Accepted Answer

According to the principle of cross-cutting relationships, the rock unit must be older than the igneous intrusion that cuts through it.

Question 18

What must be true of a rock unit has an inclusion?
A) The rock unit is the same age as the inclusion.
B) The rock unit is younger than the inclusion.
C) The rock unit is older than the inclusion.

Accepted Answer

The principle of inclusions states that the rock unit containing the inclusion must be younger than the inclusion itself, as the inclusion must have existed before being incorporated into the rock unit.

Question 19

Which relative dating principles can be observed in the Grand Canyon?
A) Superposition
B) Original horizontality
C) Cross cutting
D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

The Grand Canyon exhibits all these principles: superposition (older layers are at the bottom), original horizontality (sediments are deposited in horizontal layers), and cross-cutting (younger features cut across older ones).

Question 20

What type of scientist studies fossils?
A) Paleontologist
B) Geomorphologist
C) Petrologist

Accepted Answer

A paleontologist studies fossils to understand the history of life on Earth.

Quiz 8: Geologic Time

What is the ratio of parent-to-daughter atoms when exactly one half-life has elapsed?

Examine the image below before answering this question. D represents a magma chamber. -Which relative time principle assumes that G is older than F?

Examine the image below before answering this question. D represents a magma chamber. -Which relative time principle assumes that D is younger than G?

Examine the image below before answering this question. D represents a magma chamber. -What is the correct order of the events from oldest to youngest?

Carefully examine the relative positions of the lettered arrows on the timeline below and estimate the ages represented by each arrow. Assume all rocks are sedimentary unless otherwise indicated. Use the chart to answer this question. -Which represents the extinction of the dinosaurs?

Carefully examine the relative positions of the lettered arrows on the timeline below and estimate the ages represented by each arrow. Assume all rocks are sedimentary unless otherwise indicated. Use the chart to answer this question. -Which represents the oldest known rocks?

Carefully examine the relative positions of the lettered arrows on the timeline below and estimate the ages represented by each arrow. Assume all rocks are sedimentary unless otherwise indicated. Use the chart to answer this question. -Which represents the Cambrian explosion?

Use the diagram below to answer the questions that follow. -Which represents rocks that formed before A but after E?

Use the diagram below to answer the questions that follow. -Which represents rocks composed of granite and is older than F?

Use the diagram below to answer the questions that follow. -Which represents a sedimentary rock that did not experience contact metamorphism?

Using the diagram below, what is the possible age of F if A is 100 million years old and D is 70 million years old?

Which graph below best represents the change in the proportion of unstable (parent) radioactive isotopes with time?

Which geologic time principle places events in order based on their position?

Which geologic time principle states that older geologic units are below younger geologic units?

Why did Steno propose what eventually became known as the principle of original horizontality?

Why did Hutton propose what eventually became known as the principle of superposition?

What must be true of a rock unit that is cut by an igneous intrusion?

What must be true of a rock unit has an inclusion?

Which relative dating principles can be observed in the Grand Canyon?

What type of scientist studies fossils?