Waves
This is the definition of a wave
This is the definition of a fossil
The preserved remains or traces of a once living organism
This is the fossil record
The totality of fossils on Earth
This is the definition of relative dating
The science of determining the relative age of rock layers and fossils within those rock layers based on the comparative positions of those rock layers.
This is the definition of the theory of evolution
This is a transverse wave
particles of the medium move perpendicular to the direction that the energy of the waves travel
This is the definition of an index fossil
Helps scientists date unknown or less studied fossils and rock layers
This is how we use the fossil record
It shows the physical attributes of an organism, such as size, shape and body structure, have have small changes over long periods of time
This is the principle of original horizontality
Horizontality, sediment is deposited horizontally or in “flat rows” due to gravity.
This is an evolutionary tree
A branched diagram that shows the relationships between species.
This is a longitudinal wave
the particles of the medium vibrate back and forth parallel to the direction that the energy of the waves travel
These are the characteristics of an index fossil
Widely distributed and lived for a relatively short time period
These are limitations of the fossil record
Does not include every fossil, fossilization is rare and there are gaps on the record
This is the law of superposition
Sedimentary rock layers are laid down on top of each other, lower or deeper layers are always older than higher or shallower layers.
This is the definition of homologies
Similar characteristics due to relatedness.
These are wave behaviors
Absorption, reflection, refraction, diffraction
This is how we use index fossils to date fossils
When an unknown fossil is found in the same layer as an index fossil, scientists can infer that the unknown fossil is from the same period as the index fossil
This is the geological time scale and it's units
A system we use to measure and describe the history of Earth, the units are eons, eras and periods
This is the cross cutting relationship
A fault through rock layers must be younger than the layers through which it cuts.
This is the definition of an embryo
The early stages of development of a species (or simply life)
These are wave properties
Amplitude (A), Wavelength (λ), Frequency (f), Wave Speed (v), Period (T=1/f)
This is how we use index fossils to date rocks
Index fossils are also helpful in dating the age of rock layers and “matching” layers of rocks in different locations.
This is how the number and length of time periods are determined
based on important events in Earth’s history.
This is the intrusive relationship
An igneous intrusion is younger than the rock layers through which it “intrudes” or cuts.
These are the homologous structures of a tetrapod limb