Geologic Time Reading: Due 5/26/11

Reading

• Geologic Time
• Relative Time
• Radiometric Time Scale
• Age of the Earth

Follow Up Questions:

1. Why is relying on relative dating unreliable?

2. When did scientists begin to precisely calculate the absolute dates of organic remains?

3. If the half life of Carbon 14 is 5,730 years, and you find a plant with an 1/8^th of the Carbon 14 of a living plant, how old is the plant you found?

4. Can scientists use carbon dating to estimate the age of the Earth? Why or why not?

5. What elements are used to “radiometricly” date rocks from the Pre-archean eon?

6. How old are the oldest rocks found on Earth? Where are they found?

7. Why can’t we assume that the Earth is as old as the oldest rocks we have found on Earth?