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Geologists determine the age of rocks through a process called radiocarbon dating, a process which "peers inside [the] atoms" of the rocks.

For more detailed information about how radiocarbon dating works, check out the related link which is a website with lab instructions for groups in a class.

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Mossie Auer

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2y ago
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4mo ago

Paleontologists use a variety of methods to determine the age of rocks, including radiometric dating techniques like carbon dating or potassium-argon dating, as well as stratigraphy which involves studying the layering of rocks. By examining the types of fossils found in the rocks and their positions, paleontologists can estimate the age of rock layers through the principle of faunal succession.

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9y ago

Paleontologists use radioactive dating to determine the age of rocks.

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Q: What do paleontologist use to determine the age of rocks?
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What do paleontologist use to determine the actual age the rocks?

Radioactive dating.


What do paleontologist use to determine the actual age of rocks?

Paleontologists use radiometric dating methods to determine the actual age of rocks. These methods involve measuring the decay of radioactive isotopes within the rocks to calculate how long they have been forming. By analyzing the ratio of parent isotopes to daughter isotopes, scientists can estimate the age of the rocks.


What do paleontologists do to determine the actual age of rocks?

Paleontologists use carbon dating to determine the age of rocks.


How do you use palaeontologist in a sentence?

A paleontologist is someone who studies prehistoric life. To use the word paleontologist in a sentence you could say, "The paleontologist examined the dinosaur bones to determine how old they are."


What method do geologists use to determine the absolute age of rocks?

Radioactive dating is used to determine the absolute ages of rocks. By Jennifer Palos


What are two methods geologist use to determine the age of a rock?

Geologists use relative dating methods to determine the sequence of events that led to the formation of rocks by analyzing the layering of rocks. They also use absolute dating methods such as radiometric dating to determine the numerical age of rocks by measuring the decay of radioactive isotopes within them.


What do paleontologists use to determine age of rocks?

Paleontologists use fossils to determine the relative ages of rocks. Due to evolution the fossil assemblage in rocks changes over time and the different assemblages can therfore be used to place the rocks in which an assemblage is found in its place in the evolutionary sequence.


How do geologists use fossils to determine rocks age what are this fossils called?

Geologists use fossils to determine the age of rocks through a process called biostratigraphy. They identify the specific group of fossils present in the rock layer, known as index fossils, that have a known age range. By comparing the index fossils to a geological time scale, geologists can estimate the age of the rock layer.


What method do geologists use to determined the absolute age of a rock?

Radioactive dating is used to determine the absolute ages of rocks. By Jennifer Palos


What kind of dating does an paleontologist use?

Paleontologists use relative dating techniques to determine the age of fossils based on their position in rock layers. They also use radiometric dating methods to determine the absolute age of fossils by analyzing the decay of radioactive isotopes within the fossils.


How will you determine the age of rock and mineral by carbon dating?

Carbon dating is not typically used to determine the age of rocks and minerals. Instead, techniques such as radiometric dating, which relies on the natural decay of radioactive isotopes, are more commonly used for this purpose. These methods can provide more accurate age estimates for rocks and minerals over a wider range of time scales.


How do scientists use the rate at which radioactive elements decay in rocks?

Scientists use the rate at which radioactive elements decay in rocks to determine the age of the rocks. By measuring the ratio of parent and daughter isotopes in a rock sample, they can calculate how long it has been since the rock formed. This method is known as radiometric dating and is commonly used to determine the age of rocks and artifacts.