Relative and Absolute Dating
Grade 11th Grade · Science · 75 min· Unit 4: Earth’s History & Plate Tectonics Theme: Stored Energy And Sudden Release Standards: Sc23.ess.es.eh (earth’s History) Sc23.ess.es.pt (plate Tectonics) Focus: Geologic Time And Dating Methods Rock Cycle Convection Within The Mantle Plate Boundaries Earthquakes And Volcanoes
What's Included
Learning Objective
I can compare and contrast relative and absolute dating methods used to determine the age of rocks and fossils.
Warm-Up Video
Professor Dave Explains · 6:21
Methods of Dating the Earth Part 1: Relative Dating
Guided Notes
3 key concepts
- 1
Relative dating compares the age of formations based on their stratigraphic sequence, while absolute dating uses the decay of radioisotopes to calculate a rock’s precise age. (Word Bank: Relative dating, absolute dating, superposition, cross-cutting)
- 2
The principle of original horizontality states that sediments accumulate in horizontal layers, and the principle of superposition states that beds on the bottom are usually older than beds on top, unless tectonic forces have overturned the outcrop. (Word Bank: original horizontality, superposition, inclusions, unconformities)
- 3
An unconformity represents missing time in the rock record due to erosion or nondeposition, and can be classified as a disconformity, paraconformity, nonconformity, or angular unconformity. (Word Bank: unconformity, angular unconformity, faunal succession, cross-cutting)
Practice Questions
12 questions · Multiple choice & Short answer
Exit Ticket
Quick comprehension check
“Briefly describe the key differences between relative dating and absolute (radiometric) dating in determining the age of rocks. Provide one example of a principle used in relative dating.”
Complete Lesson Package
Get all 3 ready-to-use resources:
