Rocks
How is a igneous rock formed?
Magma/lava cools/solidifies
How do we know which rock layers are older or younger?
Law of Superposition
What is weathering?
The breaking down of rocks and minerals
What is a fossil?
Remains of once living things that have been preserved
How is a sedimentary rock formed?
Compaction and Cementation; any relevant answer
True or false: Erosion can be the reason for a gap in a fossil record.
True
Three main rock types?
Igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary
What is a mold fossil?
Hollowed out space in the shape of a once living organism
What is the difference between a mineral and a rock?
Minerals are just one mineral, while rock can be many different types
Which dating method would work best to determine the age of a rock layer with NO fossils?
Relative Dating
What is a way that scientists can tell how the surface of the Earth has changed?
Possible answers: They can examine layers of rocks and the fossils in them, they can see how rock layers change when mountains are formed, they see that rivers can carve and change layers of rock by forming canyons
What is a trace fossil?
A fossil that shows how a dead animal changed or lived in their environment?
What are the different layers of rock called?
Strata
What do water, wind, ice, heat, plants, and gravity do to rocks?
Damage through weathering and erosion
What is an index fossil?
A fossil from a species that lived for a short time but was found in many places, which helps scientists determine the age of rock layers.
How do scientists know that rock layers are about the same age?
Layers have the same type of fossils within them; using relative dating.
Why should we study rock layers? What is its importance?
Best answer.
How might paleontologists end up with a incomplete fossil record? List as many possible answers discussed in class.
Best possible answer
How has the movement of tectonic plates affected our understanding of fossils?
Best possible answer