Sort the choices below into either "Relative Dating" or "Absolute Dating".
- Radiometric dating
- Law of superposition
- Dendrochronology
- Stratigraphy
- Fossil record
- Cross-cutting relationships
- Potassium-argon dating
- Index fossils
Relative Dating:
- Law of superposition
- Stratigraphy
- Fossil record
- Cross-cutting relationships
- Index fossils
Absolute Dating:
- Radiometric dating
- Dendrochronology
- Potassium-argon dating
To sort the choices into "Relative Dating" or "Absolute Dating," you need to understand the differences between these two methods of dating:
Relative Dating: This method involves determining the age of an artifact or fossil based on its relative position in the archaeological record. It relies on principles such as superposition, where older layers or objects are found deeper in the ground than younger ones, and the law of faunal succession, which states that fossils within sedimentary rock layers can be used to determine their relative ages. Relative dating does not provide an exact age but rather establishes a sequence of events.
Absolute Dating: This method involves determining the exact age of an artifact, fossil, or geological event using various techniques. Absolute dating techniques rely on scientific methods that measure isotopes' decay rates or use other means to determine the age of materials. These methods include radiocarbon dating, potassium-argon dating, and luminescence dating, among others. Absolute dating provides a more precise estimate of the age compared to relative dating.
Now, to sort the choices, you need to consider the characteristics and principles associated with each dating method:
Relative Dating:
- Superposition
- Cross-cutting relationships
- Law of faunal succession
- Stratigraphy
Absolute Dating:
- Radiocarbon dating
- Potassium-argon dating
- Luminescence dating
- Dendrochronology
- Uranium-lead dating
Based on this information, you can now sort the choices into either "Relative Dating" or "Absolute Dating" by matching them with the corresponding methods.