Question

In 1997 a team of scientists discovered three fossilized skulls and other artifacts at a dig site in Ethiopia, Africa. Since it is difficult to determine the age of once living organisms, the scientists used radioactive dating on the igneous rocks that surrounded the remains to determine their age. Why would scientists use radioactive dating in order to determine the age of the fossil they discovered? 1)Radioactive dating gives an estimated age of the igneous rocks, while the law of superposition will only reveal which is younger or older 2)Radioactive dating is an easier and less expensive method than applying the law of superposition for estimating the age of igneous rocks

3)Radioactive dating is specific and gives the exact date that a rock was formed while the law of superposition gives an estimate of ages
4)Radioactive dating determines whether the igneous rocks are older or younger than deeper stratas of rocks, while using the law of superposition depends on tectonic events

Answer 1

Radioactive dating gives an approximate estimate of the age of the igneous rocks, while the law of superposition will only reveal which is younger or older.

Answer 2

Radioactive dating is specific and gives the exact date that a rock was formed, which is why scientists use it to determine the age of the fossil they discovered. Option 3) "Radioactive dating is specific and gives the exact date that a rock was formed while the law of superposition gives an estimate of ages" is the correct reason.