Final answer:
Relative dating determines the order of events, while absolute dating calculates the exact numerical age.
Step-by-step explanation:
Relative dating and absolute dating are two methods used by geologists to determine the age of Earth's materials.
Relative dating involves determining the order of events, such as which rock layer formed first, second, third, and so on. This method does not provide specific numerical ages, but it helps geologists understand the sequence of events in Earth's history.
Absolute dating, on the other hand, uses radioactive isotopes to calculate the exact numerical age of a rock or mineral. This method relies on the decay of radioactive isotopes at a known rate. By measuring the ratio of parent and daughter isotopes in a sample and knowing the rate of decay, geologists can determine the age of the material.