Conceptual Physical Science Explorations
Conceptual Physical Science Explorations
2nd Edition
ISBN: 9780321567918
Author: Paul G. Hewitt, Leslie A. Hewitt, John A Suchocki
Publisher: Addison Wesley
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Textbook Question
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Chapter 29, Problem 16TE

Before the discovery of radioactivity, how did geologists estimate the age of rock layers?

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark
To determine

The methods used by geologists to estimate the age of rock layers before the discovery of radioactivity.

Answer to Problem 16TE

Fossil remains of organisms were used by geologists to estimate the age of rock layers, before the discovery of radioactivity.

Explanation of Solution

Scientists used relative dating techniques used to find the relative age of rocks. Relative dating is the method of dating in which the rocks are ordered based on their relative ages sequentially.

Studying fossils helped scientists in the determination of the age of rocks. The rock layers are arranged in the order of formation, and each rock layer contains the preservations of fossils.

By establishing a correlation between the sequence of rock layers, the rocks and the fossils embedded in the layers, the relative age of rocks is determined.

Conclusion:

Therefore, fossil remains of organisms were used by geologists to estimate the age of rock layers, before the discovery of radioactivity.

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Chapter 29, Problem 15TE
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Chapter 29, Problem 17TE

Chapter 29 Solutions

Conceptual Physical Science Explorations

Ch. 29 - Prob. 1RQCh. 29 - A granitic dike is found across a sandstone layer....Ch. 29 - How are fossils used in determining geologic time?Ch. 29 - In a sequence of sedimentary rock layers, the...Ch. 29 - What is radioactive half-life?Ch. 29 - What are the half-lives of uranium-238,...Ch. 29 - Which of the geologic time units spans the...Ch. 29 - Prob. 8RQCh. 29 - Prob. 9RQCh. 29 - Prob. 10RQ
Ch. 29 - Prob. 11RQCh. 29 - Why are the lobe-finned fishes significant?Ch. 29 - Prob. 13RQCh. 29 - What animals group evolved from the amphibians...Ch. 29 - Prob. 15RQCh. 29 - Prob. 16RQCh. 29 - What evidence supports the meteorite impact at the...Ch. 29 - Which epochs make up the tertiary period? The...Ch. 29 - Prob. 19RQCh. 29 - Prob. 20RQCh. 29 - What six principles are used in relative dating?Ch. 29 - Why dont all rock formations show a continuous...Ch. 29 - Prob. 3TECh. 29 - Prob. 4TECh. 29 - Prob. 5TECh. 29 - What was the most noteworthy evidence of life in...Ch. 29 - Prob. 7TECh. 29 - Why are internal nostrils in the lobe-finned...Ch. 29 - What time period is associated with coal deposits?Ch. 29 - Prob. 10TECh. 29 - Prob. 11TECh. 29 - How does the element iridium relate to the time of...Ch. 29 - Suppose you see a sequence of sedimentary rock...Ch. 29 - If a sedimentary rock contains inclusions of...Ch. 29 - Which isotopes are most appropriate for dating...Ch. 29 - Before the discovery of radioactivity, how did...Ch. 29 - Prob. 17TECh. 29 - Prob. 18TECh. 29 - Prob. 19TECh. 29 - Prob. 20TECh. 29 - The principle of superposition is that each new...Ch. 29 - Life forms throughout Earths past have occurred in...Ch. 29 - The time it takes for 50 of a radioactive...Ch. 29 - Development of Earths ocean was likely due to (a)...Ch. 29 - Prob. 5RATCh. 29 - Prob. 6RATCh. 29 - Prob. 7RATCh. 29 - The formation of the supercontinent Pangaea (a)...Ch. 29 - Prob. 9RATCh. 29 - Prob. 10RAT

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