Question

A scientist is using relative dating to determine the age of a fossil that she discovered.

What would allow her to draw the best conclusions about fossils that are younger than the one she discovered?

A.measuring the amount of carbon and nitrogen in the surrounding rock
B.measuring the amount of potassium and argon in the surrounding rock
C.finding fossils in the same area that are in layers deeper under the surface
D.finding fossils in the same area that are in layers closer to the surface

Answer 1

Option (D)

Step-by-step explanation:

The relative dating is a method by which the age between the objects can be determined. It helps in constructing the relative arrangement of events that has taken place in the geological past.

According to the given condition, a fossil has been identified from a layer of rock in a particular area. Now, in order to to obtain a younger fossil, one must have to find fossils from the layers above the previous layer (or layers closer to the surface). It is because according to the law of superposition, the youngest fossils are always found at the apex layer of rocks, and the oldest are at the bottom layer of rock.

Thus, the correct answer is option (D).

Answer 2

Answer: D.finding fossils in the same area that are in layers closer to the surface.

Relative dating refers to the age estimation method in which past events are determined, to compare the age of object, organism, strata or rock with the age of other similar entity. This method gives an approximate or estimated age, it does not provide absolute age.

The older fossils are found in deeper layers of the strata as compared to younger fossils. This represents the geological time and life span of primitive or preexisting organisms. Therefore, according to the given situation, finding fossils in the same area that are in layers closer to the surface is the best conclusion.