The rock layers contain the history of the Earth. The deeper the rock layer, the _________ the fossil.
*
2 points
younger
older
middle-aged
none
Older
The correct answer is "older". The deeper the rock layer, the older the fossil is likely to be. This principle is known as the Law of Superposition, which states that in undisturbed layers of rock, the youngest rocks are found on top, and the oldest rocks are found at the bottom.
To determine the age of a fossil, geologists first need to identify the rock layer that it is found in. They can then use methods such as relative dating and radiometric dating to estimate its age. Relative dating involves comparing the age of one rock layer or fossil to another, using principles like the Law of Superposition. Radiometric dating, on the other hand, calculates the actual numerical age of a fossil by measuring the ratio of radioactive isotopes to stable isotopes in the rock.
So, to answer the question, if a fossil is found in a deeper rock layer, it is likely to be older, based on the principle of superposition.