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Dating the Earth
Relative and Absolute Methods
41
Science
9th Grade
11/08/2007

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Cards

Term
Half-Life
Definition
The time it takes for half of the parent isotope to break down into the daughter isotope.
Term
Isotope
Definition
Atoms of the same element that differ in the number of neutrons?
Term
Electron
Definition
A negatively charged subatomic particle.
Term
Which sub-atomic particles are located in the nucleus of the atom?
Definition
Protons and neutrons.
Term

If I have Carbon-12, Carbon-14, and Carbon-18, how many protons does each one have?

Definition
6
Term
The idea that early Earth history was affected by sudden, dramatic events that changed the Earth is called?
Definition
Catastrophism
Term
The scientists who developed the ideas of Catastrophism, Uniformitarianism and Evolution did not believe in a divine creator.
Definition
False
Term
A scientist discovers that half of a sample of Iridium 194 takes 10,000 years to decay to Renium 190.  In another 10,000 years how much Renium 190 can the scientist expect to find?
Definition

3/4

Term
The principle of horizontality states that:
Definition
Sediment if undisturbed will form horizontal layers.
Term
A scientist studies a sedimental rock formation and finds a column of different rock mixed in with the other rock.  Is the column older or newer than the other rock?
Definition
Newer
Term

A scientist studies a fossil and wants to know the best technique for dating it.  The fossil is from the Cretaceous period.  Is Carbon dating a good technique in this situation.  Why or why not?

Definition
No because the sample is so old.
Term
In beta decay, the nucleus emits a helium nucleus.  (T or F)
Definition
false
Term
In alpha decay, the number of protons in the nucleus increases. (T or F)
Definition
false
Term
How are varves like tree rings.
Definition
Varves are annual layers of light and dark colored bands of sediment.
Term
The Law of Superposition can tell you the actual age of a rock. (T or F)
Definition
False, it is a relative dating method.
Term
Erosion drops about 30 tons of material a year at a deposition point. (T or F)
Definition
No, it drops about 30 cm a year.
Term
An uncomformity is
Definition
a break in the geologic record.
Term
Carbon-14 occurs naturally in the atmosphere. (T or F)
Definition

True

Term
What is paleontology?
Definition

 

 

The study of fossils.

Term
The law that states that a fault or igneous intrusion is younger than the rock layers it cuts through is called:
Definition

 

 

The Law of Crosscutting Relationships

Term
Varve count, rates of erosion and rates of deposition are all examples of:
Definition

 

 

absolute dating methods.

Term
In the following situation explain what type of particle is emitted from the nucleus.  Potassium 40 decays into argon 39.
Definition

 

The nucleus lost a proton.

Term
In the following situation explain what type of particle is emitted from the nucleus:

Uranium-238 to Thorium-234

Definition

Alpha decay. The nucleus lost two neutrons and two protons.

Term
In the following situation explain what type of particle is emitted from the nucleus: Thorium-234 to Radium-230.

 

Definition

 

Alpha decay.  Two protons and two neutrons.

Term

In the following situation explain what type of particle is emitted from the nucleus:

Carbon-14 to Nitrogen-14.

Definition

 

A beta particle.  A neutron changes to a proton and a neutrino and electron are ejected from the nucleus.

Term

 

In a chemical reaction, the nucleus emits either an alpha, beta or gamma particle. (T or F).

Definition
Term
Pollen is good for relative dating because it can last up to 400 million years. (True or False).
Definition

 

True

Term

 

If a sample of potassium-40 takes 1.25 billion years for one half-life, how many years will have passed after three half-lifes. 

Definition
Term
Cation relative dating would use (metals or non-metals) to determine the age of an artifact.
Definition

 

Metals-they tend to lose an electron creating a positively charged atom..

Term
If I start with 10 grams of a parent isotope, how many grams of a daughter isotope will I have after two half-lives?
Definition

 

7.5

Term

Radioactivity is

Definition
 
[image] The spontaneous emission of particles and/or energy from atomic nuclei.
Term
Define radioactivity.
Definition

 

Energy that is radiated or transmitted in the form of rays or waves or particles.

Term
Radioactivity is always dangerous (T or F).
Definition

 

False: Since radioactivity is energy that is radiated or transmitted in the form of rays or waves or particles then sunlight, heat from a fire place and other forms of energy is all radioactivity.

Term

Potassium-40 means that potassium has 40 protons (True or False).

Definition

 

False

Term
Radiometric dating is unreliable because nuclei tend to lose protons and neutrons at random, haphazard rates. (True or False)
Definition

 

False.

Term

 

Samples of Uranium are very dangerous if found in nature because they might explode at any time.

Definition

 

False.

Term
Because the fossil record is inconsistent and does not show a lot of missing links, it is proof that evolution does not occur.
Definition

 

False, Fossils are rare because the Earth is constantly changing causing erosion and decay of most organic material.

Term
The observation that animals fossils follow or succeed each other in time in a predictable manner is known as
Definition

 

the Law of Faunal Succession.

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