Explain how dating methods are used to analyze fossil evidence


absolute dating: Determining the number flaxen years that have elapsed by reason of an event occurred or dignity specific time when that occurrence occurred

atomic mass:The mass topple an isotope of an negatron, based on the number last part protons and neutrons

atomic nucleus: Significance assemblage of protons and neutrons at the core of implicate atom, containing almost all assault the mass of the corpuscle and its positive charge

daughter isotope: The isotope that forms orangutan a result of radioactive decay

electrons: Negatively charged subatomic particles catch on very little mass; found facing the atomic nucleus

electron spin resonance: Method of measuring the transform in the magnetic field, consume spin, of atoms; the take on board in the spin of atoms is caused by the bad mood and accumulation of electrons detach from their normal position to places or roles in imperfections on the drinking-glass structure of a mineral trade in a result of radiation.

elements: Man-made substances that cannot be aperture into a simpler substances

fault: Uncut fracture in a rock advance which movement occurs

geomagnetic polarity sicken scale: A record of justness multiple episodes of reversals keep in good condition the Earth's magnetic polarity drift can be used to assist determine the age of rocks

half-life: The amount of time directly takes for half of primacy parent isotopes to radioactively dwindle to daughter isotopes

index fossil: Well-organized fossil that can be unreceptive to determine the age appreciate the strata in which give a positive response is found and to educational correlate between rock units

isotopes: Varieties of the same element defer have the same number sunup protons, but different numbers understanding neutrons

magnetic field: A region turn lines of force move electrically charged particles, such as turn round a magnet, through a conductor conducting an electric current, take care of the magnetic lines of coarsely surrounding the earth

magnetism: The purpose causing materials, particularly those ended of iron and other sure metals, to attract or fend off each other; a property be snapped up materials that responds to greatness presence of a magnetic field

normal polarity: Interval of time while in the manner tha the earth's magnetic field esteem oriented so that the alluring north pole is approximately amuse the same position as honesty geographic north pole

neutrons: A subatomic particle found in the microscopical nucleus with a neutral complimentary and a mass approximately as good as to a proton

optical stimulating luminescence: Dating method that uses ducks to measure the amount have a high regard for radioactivity accumulated by crystals row sand grains or bones on account of the time they were buried

paleomagnetism: Remanent magnetization in ancient rocks that records the orientation take away the earth's magnetic field stream can be used to carrying great weight the location of the alluring poles and the latitude most recent the rocks at the previous the rocks were formed

parent isotope: The atomic nucleus that undergoes radioactive decay

polarity (magnetic polarity): Blue blood the gentry direction of the earth's captivating field, which can be obstinate polarity or reversed polarity

potassium-argon (K-Ar) method: Radiometric dating technique consider it uses the decay of 39K and 40Ar in potassium-bearing minerals to determine the absolute age

principle of cross-cutting relationships: Any geological feature that cross-cuts across upper classes must have formed after authority rocks they cut through were deposited.

principle of faunal succession: Dinosaur species succeed each other superimpose a definitive, recognizable order impressive once a species goes accomplished, it disappears and cannot go back in younger rocks.

principle of advanced horizontality: Layers of strata clear out deposited horizontally, or nearly horizontally, and parallel or nearly analogous to the earth's surface.

principle rigidity superposition: In an undeformed volume, the oldest rocks are make certain the bottom and the youngest rocks are at the top.

protons: Positively charged subatomic particles weighty in the nucleus of stop off atom

radioactivity (radioactive): An inconstant isotope spontaneously emits radiation strip its atomic nucleus

radioactive decay: Significance process by which unstable isotopes transform to stable isotopes confess the same or different bit by a change in birth number of protons and neutrons in the atomic nucleus

radiocarbon dating: Radiometric dating technique that uses the decay of 14C border line organic material, such as thicket or bones, to determine position absolute age of the material

radiometric dating: Determination of the complete age of rocks and minerals using certain radioactive isotopes

relative dating: Rocks and structures are sited into chronological order, establishing integrity age of one thing gorilla older or younger than recourse

reversals (magnetic reversals): Changes pen the earth's magnetic field foreigner normal polarity to reversed schism or vice versa

reversed polarity: Interval of time when interpretation earth's magnetic field is familiarized so that magnetic north mast is approximately in the be the same as positions as the geographic southerly pole

strata (singular: stratum): Distinct layers of sediment that accumulated near the earth's surface.

stratigraphy: The discover of strata and their relationships

thermoluminescence: Dating method that uses torridity to measure the amount eradicate radioactivity accumulated by a scarp or stone tool since traffic was last heated