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28 votes
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New fossil primates are recovered in a stratigraphic layer of volcanic ash that includes fossil molars of a pig species known to have become extinct about 30 million years ago. Identify the fossil dating methods that are appropriate to use in determining the age of the fossil primates. Correct Dating Methods inquizitive

User PathOfNeo
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1 Answer

14 votes
14 votes

Answer:

The correct dating methods will be:

  • radiopotassium dating
  • biostratigraphic dating

Step-by-step explanation:

The primate fossils presented in the question above must be submitted to the dating processes known as radiopotassium and biostratigraphic so that the age of these fossils can be determined as accurately as possible.

Radiopotassium dating is based on the half-life of potassium, which is equal to 40 years. The term half-life refers to the number of years it takes for half the number of atoms of the radioactive isotope to be destroyed. Thus, radiopotassium dating measures the amount of potassium present in a fossil and relates this amount to the half-life of potassium, thus being able to calculate the age of the fossil.

Biostratigraphic dating, on the other hand, allows the age of a fossil to be determined by being compared with the age of another fossil and the physical and structural composition that these fossils have.

Therefore, to determine the age of primate fossils, radiopotassium dating would first be used in some fossils. These would be used as a model during biostratigraphic dating, allowing confirmation of the age of other fossils.

User Leecarter
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