Level 1
Scientists' best explanation to describe how old Earth is
What is 4.6(ish) billion years old
These measurable observations—ratios of parent to daughter isotopes—allow scientists to calculate rock ages
What is radiometric dating
This reasoning explains why radiometric dating supports Earth being 4.6 billion years old: the longer a rock has existed, the more of this it accumulates.
What is a daughter isotope?
This is a major limitation of dating Earth’s original rocks: most of the earliest crust has been lost due to this process.
What is the rock cycle
Which of the following is an observation scientists use as evidence for Earth’s age?
A. “Meteorites formed at the same time as Earth because they are leftover building materials.”
B. “This meteorite contains measurable amounts of Uranium-238 and Lead-206. Dating it to be 4.5bil”
C. “Earth probably formed around the same time as the Sun.”
D. “Earth is 4.6 billion years old.”
What is B
The process of dust and rocks sticking together to form planets, including Earth
What is accreation
These objects from space often contain the oldest material scientists can measure, showing ages close to 4.6 billion years.
This reasoning explains why meteorites help determine Earth’s age: they formed at the same time as Earth because they are leftovers from this early structure.
What is the formation of our sun or solar system?
This flaw in reasoning occurs when someone assumes crater counts alone can prove age without considering this process that removes craters.
What is erosion?
Which statement below is an observation, not reasoning?
A. “Older surfaces have more craters because they have been exposed longer.”
B. “The Mare region of the Moon has fewer craters than the Highlands.”
C. “Low crater counts prove the surface is young.”
D. “Craters form when space rocks hit a surface.”
What is B
The claim that describes how/when the solar system formed
What is the formation of our sun?
Scientists observe that surfaces with more of these must be older because they have had more time to accumulate them.
What are craters?
This reasoning explains why crater counts show surface age: older surfaces have more craters because they have experienced more of this.
What is a constant rate of meteorite impact?
The limitation in this reasoning is Meteorites can’t tell us Earth’s age because they aren’t from Earth.”
What is meteorites formed at the same time as Earth?
Identify the observation used in radiometric dating:
A. “The more daughter isotopes present, the older the rock must be.”
B. “Earth’s oldest rocks should match meteorite ages.”
C. “Radiometric dating is the most accurate method for determining age.”
D. “This basalt sample shows a 3:1 ratio of daughter to parent isotopes.”
what is D
The claim that describes the age and formation of Earth
What is the Earth formed during the beginning stages of the Sun's formation through accretion 4.5 billion years ago.
These rocks, found on Earth, are not as old as Earth itself because most were destroyed by this process.
What is the rock cycle?
This explains why most Earth rocks are younger than Earth: geologic processes continuously do this to old rocks.
What is the rock cycle?
The name of Mrs. matthias' dog or dogs for a bonus point
Rory and tatum
Which choice is an observation and NOT an explanation?
A. “This rock’s radiometric age is measured at 1.8 billion years.”
B,“Plate tectonics destroy old rocks, which is why Earth doesn’t have its original crust.”
C. “Earth must have formed at the same time as other planets.”
D. “The age of this rock suggests it formed after major volcanic activity.”
What is A