Question

How do scientists determine the age of fossils?

A) They only determine relative ages by assuming that deeper layers of sedimentary rock are older.

B) They compare the ratio of carbon‐12 to carbon‐13 in the fossil to determine how long ago it formed.

C) They use radiometric dating to measure the age of the surrounding rocks.

D) They basically guess since there are too many unknown variables to determine fossil ages.

Answer 1

Scientists determine the age of fossils using radiometric dating, which measures the decay of radioactive materials in rocks and fossils.

Step-by-step explanation:

Scientists determine the age of fossils through a method called radiometric dating. This technique relies on the fact that radioactive materials in rocks and fossils decay at a known rate. By measuring the amount of decayed radioactive materials in each rock layer, scientists can determine the age of the fossils.

Relative dating, on the other hand, only determines which fossil is older or younger compared to another. It is based on the positions of fossils in rock layers, with deeper layers assumed to be older.

Therefore, option C) They use radiometric dating to measure the age of the surrounding rocks, is the correct answer.