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7. Which two techniques that could be used to determine the age of fossil A.
...
8. The diagram shows undisturbed sedimentary rock strata containing
fossils. Which statement best summarizes the history of this area?
a. The area was once a forest and was replaced by a freshwater lake
b. The area was once a freshwater lake and was replaced by a
saltwater sea
c. The area was once a saltwater sea and later was replaced by a
coniferous forest
d. The area was once a saltwater sea and later was replaced by a
forest
22. The picture shows three columns of exposed rock that are
within a three-kilometer area. According to this information, the
dominant past environment of this area was
a. Artic tundra
b. Shallow marine
c. Deciduous forest
d. Tropical desert
23. In which type of environment did this fossilized fish most likely live?
a. Deep ocean trench
b. A coral reef
c. A freshwater lake
d. Near an ocean vent
the
Use the Geologic Time Scale on next page to answer these questions.
1. Based on the fossil evidence, when did life first evolved on Earth? .
2. During what Period did the first vertebrates evolved? .......
How long ago was this? .
What type of vertebrates were these animals? ..
3. During what Period did the first plants evolved? ...
How long ago was this? .
4. During what Period did the first dinosaurs evolved? .
How long ago was this? .
5. The dinosaurs and many other species became extinct in a relatively short period of time that marks what is known
as the K-T boundary. The K-T boundary is the boundary between the Cretaceous and Tertiary periods. About
how long ago did the dinosaurs become extinct? .
6. Imagine that you found a fossil of a bird that dates to 230 million years ago. Why would this find be astonishing
(surprising) to scientists?........
......
7. During what period were most coal deposits formed?
How long ago did this happen? .
8. What evolved first, land plants or land animals? .
9. If you could go back in time, to the Ordovician and Cambrian Periods, where would you have to go to look for living
organisms: land, freshwater, or oceans? Explain your answer. ..
..
10. During which period did humans evolve? .
Radioactive isotopes decay over time giving off radiation as they break down. Scientists compare the
amount of the original radioactive element to the amount of the new element present, which has formed
as a result of the decay.
Suppose that you start with 100 g of a certain radioisotope that decays to half its original amount
in 50,000 years.
a. Complete Table 1.
Amount of
Original Isotope
Amount of
Daughter Material
Years Passed
(decayed element)
100 grams
0 grams
0
50 000
100 000
150 000
200 000
3.125 grams
96.875 grams
Table 1
250 000