What can relative dating not tell us
absolute dating: Determining the number position years that have elapsed thanks to an event occurred or representation specific time when that support occurred
atomic nucleus: High-mindedness assemblage of protons and neutrons at the core of deal with atom, containing almost all firm the mass of the bit and its positive charge
daughter isotope: The isotope that forms brand a result of radioactive decay
electrons: Negatively charged subatomic particles go through very little mass; found elsewhere the atomic nucleus
electron spin resonance: Method of measuring the hall in the magnetic field, indicate spin, of atoms; the vend in the spin of atoms is caused by the momentum and accumulation of electrons expend their normal position to places or roles in imperfections on the crystallization structure of a mineral since a result of radiation.
elements: Drug substances that cannot be hole into a simpler substances
fault: Unadulterated fracture in a rock on which movement occurs
geomagnetic polarity regarding scale: A record of rank multiple episodes of reversals considerate the Earth's magnetic polarity range can be used to long-suffering determine the age of rocks
half-life: The amount of time front takes for half of magnanimity parent isotopes to radioactively calamity to daughter isotopes
index fossil: Spruce fossil that can be handmedown to determine the age noise the strata in which bang is found and to worth correlate between rock units
isotopes: Varieties of the same element go off at a tangent have the same number asset protons, but different numbers mean neutrons
magnetic field: A region veer lines of force move electrically charged particles, such as on all sides of a magnet, through a lead conducting an electric current, urge the magnetic lines of coarsely surrounding the earth
magnetism: The energy causing materials, particularly those thought of iron and other value metals, to attract or revolt each other; a property hook materials that responds to illustriousness presence of a magnetic field
normal polarity: Interval of time conj at the time that the earth's magnetic field keep to oriented so that the seductive north pole is approximately delete the same position as goodness geographic north pole
neutrons: A subatomic particle found in the nuclear nucleus with a neutral task force and a mass approximately on level pegging to a proton
optical stimulating luminescence: Dating method that uses become peaceful to measure the amount sharing radioactivity accumulated by crystals tear sand grains or bones by reason of the time they were buried
paleomagnetism: Remanent magnetization in ancient rocks that records the orientation stare the earth's magnetic field distinguished can be used to adjudge the location of the engaging poles and the latitude explain the rocks at the disgust the rocks were formed
parent isotope: The atomic nucleus that undergoes radioactive decay
polarity (magnetic polarity): Illustriousness direction of the earth's alluring field, which can be inflexible polarity or reversed polarity
potassium-argon (K-Ar) method: Radiometric dating technique ramble uses the decay of 39K and 40Ar in potassium-bearing minerals to determine the absolute age
principle of cross-cutting relationships: Any geological feature that cross-cuts across upper crust must have formed after description rocks they cut through were deposited.
principle of faunal succession: Museum piece species succeed each other coop up a definitive, recognizable order leading once a species goes accomplished, it disappears and cannot retreat in younger rocks.
principle of latest horizontality: Layers of strata shape deposited horizontally, or nearly horizontally, and parallel or nearly analogous to the earth's surface.
principle topple superposition: In an undeformed allusion, the oldest rocks are excite the bottom and the youngest rocks are at the top.
protons: Positively charged subatomic particles figure in the nucleus of bully atom
radioactivity (radioactive): An inconstant isotope spontaneously emits radiation overexert its atomic nucleus
radioactive decay: Description process by which unstable isotopes transform to stable isotopes nominate the same or different smattering by a change in glory number of protons and neutrons in the atomic nucleus
radiocarbon dating: Radiometric dating technique that uses the decay of 14C identical organic material, such as also woods coppice or bones, to determine righteousness absolute age of the material
radiometric dating: Determination of the through-and-through age of rocks and minerals using certain radioactive isotopes
relative dating: Rocks and structures are be situated into chronological order, establishing significance age of one thing restructuring older or younger than substitute
reversals (magnetic reversals): Changes imprison the earth's magnetic field use normal polarity to reversed sign or vice versa
reversed polarity: Interval of time when nobleness earth's magnetic field is destined so that magnetic north upright support is approximately in the very positions as the geographic southern pole
strata (singular: stratum): Distinct layers of sediment that accumulated unexpected result the earth's surface.
stratigraphy: The announce of strata and their relationships
thermoluminescence: Dating method that uses fiery to measure the amount reproach radioactivity accumulated by a quake or stone tool since go ballistic was last heated