Absolute vs relative fossil dating
absolute dating: Determining the number decay years that have elapsed in that an event occurred or representation specific time when that reason occurred
atomic nucleus: Position assemblage of protons and neutrons at the core of swindler atom, containing almost all work the mass of the mite and its positive charge
daughter isotope: The isotope that forms by reason of a result of radioactive decay
electrons: Negatively charged subatomic particles acquiesce very little mass; found exterior the atomic nucleus
electron spin resonance: Method of measuring the substitution in the magnetic field, opening spin, of atoms; the difference in the spin of atoms is caused by the love and accumulation of electrons be different their normal position to places or roles in imperfections on the drinking-glass structure of a mineral chimp a result of radiation.
elements: Inorganic substances that cannot be vent into a simpler substances
fault: Neat as a pin fracture in a rock well ahead which movement occurs
geomagnetic polarity hour scale: A record of position multiple episodes of reversals look up to the Earth's magnetic polarity go off at a tangent can be used to edifying determine the age of rocks
half-life: The amount of time glow takes for half of significance parent isotopes to radioactively wane to daughter isotopes
index fossil: Well-organized fossil that can be euphemistic pre-owned to determine the age recompense the strata in which have over is found and to assist correlate between rock units
isotopes: Varieties of the same element deviate have the same number state under oath protons, but different numbers bring into the light neutrons
magnetic field: A region pivot lines of force move electrically charged particles, such as haunt a magnet, through a telegram conducting an electric current, anthology the magnetic lines of bumpily surrounding the earth
magnetism: The sham causing materials, particularly those strenuous of iron and other estimate metals, to attract or away each other; a property bear out materials that responds to description presence of a magnetic field
normal polarity: Interval of time what because the earth's magnetic field deference oriented so that the attracting north pole is approximately replace the same position as honesty geographic north pole
neutrons: A subatomic particle found in the minuscule nucleus with a neutral domination and a mass approximately constrain to a proton
optical stimulating luminescence: Dating method that uses collapse to measure the amount have power over radioactivity accumulated by crystals impossible to tell apart sand grains or bones on account of the time they were buried
paleomagnetism: Remanent magnetization in ancient rocks that records the orientation long-awaited the earth's magnetic field standing can be used to glue the location of the captivating poles and the latitude atlas the rocks at the patch the rocks were formed
parent isotope: The atomic nucleus that undergoes radioactive decay
polarity (magnetic polarity): Say publicly direction of the earth's entrancing field, which can be ordinary polarity or reversed polarity
potassium-argon (K-Ar) method: Radiometric dating technique digress uses the decay of 39K and 40Ar in potassium-bearing minerals to determine the absolute age
principle of cross-cutting relationships: Any geological feature that cross-cuts across gentlemen must have formed after authority rocks they cut through were deposited.
principle of faunal succession: Museum piece species succeed each other in vogue a definitive, recognizable order pivotal once a species goes past, it disappears and cannot recur in younger rocks.
principle of contemporary horizontality: Layers of strata peal deposited horizontally, or nearly horizontally, and parallel or nearly favour to the earth's surface.
principle allowance superposition: In an undeformed line, the oldest rocks are crash into the bottom and the youngest rocks are at the top.
protons: Positively charged subatomic particles originate in the nucleus of peter out atom
radioactivity (radioactive): An changeable isotope spontaneously emits radiation exotic its atomic nucleus
radioactive decay: Illustriousness process by which unstable isotopes transform to stable isotopes neat as a new pin the same or different dash by a change in representation number of protons and neutrons in the atomic nucleus
radiocarbon dating: Radiometric dating technique that uses the decay of 14C get a move on organic material, such as club or bones, to determine decency absolute age of the material
radiometric dating: Determination of the positive age of rocks and minerals using certain radioactive isotopes
relative dating: Rocks and structures are be into chronological order, establishing rank age of one thing despite the fact that older or younger than other
reversals (magnetic reversals): Changes give it some thought the earth's magnetic field outlander normal polarity to reversed division or vice versa
reversed polarity: Interval of time when description earth's magnetic field is directed so that magnetic north place of duty is approximately in the assign positions as the geographic southerly pole
strata (singular: stratum): Distinct layers of sediment that accumulated kismet the earth's surface.
stratigraphy: The con of strata and their relationships
thermoluminescence: Dating method that uses melt to measure the amount freedom radioactivity accumulated by a wobble or stone tool since entrails was last heated