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The method used will be determined by the rock type, but the age of a rock will be determined by a determination of the amount of decay of a radioactive isotope, either contained in the rock, or in a geologic layer of rock coinciding with a fossil.

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14y ago
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14y ago

The absolute age.

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Q: What is the true age of a rock or fossil?
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Related questions

How can index fossils be used to date rock?

Because if you know how old the fossil is, and you find the fossil inside a rock, you know that rock has a maxium age corresponding with the age of the fossil.


A fossil that is found in the rock layers of only one geologic age and that is used to establish the age of the rock layers?

This fossil is called a index fossil. It is a species that is easily recognizable, widespread, and existed for a short period of time. By determining the age of the rock layer where the index fossil is found, geologists can establish the approximate age of the surrounding rocks.


What is the relative age of a fossil starfish?

the relative age of the rock where it was found.


What to methods are used to determine the age of a rock or fossil?

There are two methods used to determine the age of a rock or fossil. The first is carbon dating and the second is radiometric dating.


How do you tell how old a fossil is by the rock layer?

You can determine the relative age of a fossil by looking at the position of the fossil in the rock layers. The closer a fossil is to the surface, the younger it is relative to fossils found deeper in the layers. To determine the absolute age of a fossil, scientists use radiometric dating techniques on the surrounding rocks to determine the age of the rock layer the fossil is found in.


When you know the relative age of a fossil what else do you know about it?

the relative age of the rock where it was found.


What is the definition of relative age?

The geologic age of fossil organisms, rock, or geologic features or events defined relative of each other.


How do sedimentary rock layers provide clues to a fossil age?

because fossils are in sedimentary rock


What types of dating estimates the age of a rock or fossil?

The rough estimating of the age of a fossil or rock containing fossils is called relative dating, and is based on the position of the rock or fossil in undisturbed sedimentary strata which contains what are called 'index fossils', fossils that only appear in specific geologic time periods.


Numerical age is the age of a rock or geological feature in years True or False?

True. Numerical age is the age of a rock or geological feature in years, typically determined through radiometric dating methods.


What does relative dating provide for the age of a rock layer or fossil?

Relative dating provides an estimated age of a rock layer or fossil based on its position in relation to other rock layers or fossils. It helps determine the sequence of events in Earth's history, but does not provide an exact numerical age.


How do scientists use sedimentary rock to determine a fossils relative age?

Scientists can use sedimentary rock to determine a fossil's relative age by examining the layers in which the fossil is found. The principle of superposition states that in an undisturbed sequence of sedimentary rock layers, the oldest layer is at the bottom and the youngest layer is at the top. By identifying the layer in which the fossil is located, scientists can approximate its relative age compared to other fossils and rock layers.