Geological Timeline & IV/DV/Controls
The Rock Cycle
Geology 101
Fossils
Absolute vs Relative Dating
100
Q: What is the geological timeline used for?
(100 pts for solid answers; +100 points for best answer)
A: To show Earth’s history and major events over billions of years.
100
Q: Name the three main types of rocks.
A: Igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic.
100
Q: What does the Law of Superposition state?
(100 pts for solid answers, +100 points for best, most accurate answer)
A: In undisturbed rock layers, the oldest layer is on the bottom and the youngest is on top.
100
NON-Fossil Question - tricked you.
What does CER stand for?
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning
100
Q: What is relative dating?
Q: What is absolute dating?
(100 points for each good/correct answer. +200 bonus points for the best)
A: Determining if something is older or younger than something else.
A: Finding the actual age of a rock or fossil using numbers.
200
Name a time period OR era from the Geologic Time Scale during which dinosaurs existed
During the Mesozoic Era, which consists of the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods
200
Q: Which rock type forms from lava or magma?
A: Igneous rock.
200
Q: What geological event causes rock layers to bend?
A: Folding.
200
Q: What is permineralization?
(good answers get you 100 pts, the best gets you +200 bonus points)
A: Minerals fill in the spaces of an organism, turning it into stone.
200
Q: Which type of dating uses the Law of Superposition? Which type of dating uses radioactive decay?
Relative
Absolute
300
What major event during the Cambrian time period, around 541-485 million years ago?
The CAMBRIAN EXPLOSION--lots of new life in a very short period of time, especially in the ocean as the supercontinent Rodinia broke apart
300
Q: List two processes in the rock cycle.
A: Weathering, erosion, deposition, melting, cooling, heat, pressure (any two).
300
Q: What is tilting, and what does it tell scientists?
A: Tilting is when rock layers are slanted; it shows the layers were disturbed after forming.
300
Q: What is an index fossil used for?
A: To determine the relative age of rock layers.
300
Explain how this photo could represent both absolute and relative dating:
RD: comparing phones and putting them in order from oldest to youngest
AD: some of these weren't around very long, you'd know right away what era it's from
400
What are three pieces of evidence or techniques we use to support/figure out the Geological Timeline?
Relative Dating, Absolute Dating, Fossils, Plate Tectonics, Ice Core Samples, Tree Rings, Meteorites
400
Q: What type of rock forms from small, pieces of rock being compacted and cemented?
A: Sedimentary rock.
400
Q: Explain why an igneous intrusion is younger than the rock layers it cuts through (*Bonus for naming the Law associated with this)
A: The surrounding rock had to exist first before magma could cut through it, which is an example of the Law of Crosscutting Relationships
400
What is the difference between a cast fossil and a mold fossil?
Mold: objects outer shape is pressed into mud (or something soft) and an imprint is left
Cast: Objects soft parts are replaced by minerals
400
RANDOM NON-SCIENCE QUESTION:
What were the top five grossing (most money) films in the United States in 2025? Points for the team with the most correct guesses. You can only list 7 movies, no more.
- A Minecraft Movie (Warner Bros.): Leading the pack with over $423 million.
- Lilo & Stitch (Disney): Close behind with over $423 million.
- Superman (Warner Bros.): A strong performer with over $354 million.
- Jurassic World: Rebirth (Universal): Earned over $339 million.
- Wicked: For Good (Universal): A big hit with over $305 million
500
In the cast fossil experiment/lab, what was the IV, DV, and one control?
IV: different types of materials (sand, soil, mix)
DV: data and observations determining which cast fossil was best (detail, intact, etc.) ANSWER WILL VARY
Control: Answers will vary.
500
Q: Draw and label a simple rock cycle diagram showing at least 3 rock types and 2 processes.
A: Diagram should correctly connect igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks with processes like melting, cooling, heat, pressure, weathering, or erosion.
500
Put these in the correct order: oldest to youngest (ignore the circles, just focus on letters; the fault line doesn't have a letter, so just label it F.L.):
Oldest to Youngest:
H <- J <- E <- F.L. <- D <- A <- B < - G <- I <- C <- F
500
Q: List all four characteristics of a good index fossil.
A: Lived for a short time, widespread, abundant, easy to identify
500
RANDOM CHALLENGE (since I can't think of another absolute/relative dating question) - you choose.
- Ping Pong Ball Bouncing thingy
- Best 10 second counter
- Don't spill
1st Place - 500 pts
2nd Place - 300 pts
3rd Place - 100 pts