Final answer:
The correct answer is (c) Absolute dating; relative carbon dating. Absolute dating determines the precise age of rocks using radioactive isotopes, whereas relative dating allows for comparison of rock ages without providing specific numbers.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the field of geology, the method used to determine the exact age of rocks is called absolute dating. This technique relies on the decay rates of radioactive isotopes, such as carbon-14 and others, to determine the numerical age of rocks or fossils. As for the second part of your question, geologists use relative dating to compare the ages of rocks. This method doesn't provide an exact age in years; instead, it allows geologists to reconstruct a sequence of events based on which geological features are older or younger relative to each other.
So for your question, the correct answer is (c) Absolute dating; relative carbon dating. Absolute dating is the process that gives an exact numeric age to rock or fossil, often using carbon-14 or other radioactive elements for fossils. Relative dating, on the other hand, is not limited to carbon dating and involves comparing the ages of rocks or fossils to determine their sequence in geological history.