Question 1

Gaps in the rock record are of no importance to geologists because no rocks exist from the gap to be studied.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 2

What evidence would lead geologists to conclude that granite underlying sedimentary rock is younger than the sedimentary rock?

Accepted Answer

A)  fragments of sedimentary rock included in the granite 
B)  pebbles of the granite included in the bedding of the sedimentary rock 
C)  tilting of the sedimentary bedding 
D)  contact metamorphism between the granite and the deepest sedimentary bedding 
A)  fragments of sedimentary rock included in the granite 
B)  pebbles of the granite included in the bedding of the sedimentary rock 
C)  tilting of the sedimentary bedding 
D)  contact metamorphism between the granite and the deepest sedimentary bedding D

Question 3

According to radioactive dating, which celestial object is the oldest?

Accepted Answer

A)  Earth 
B)  meteorites 
C)  the Moon 
D)  Jupiter 
A)  Earth 
B)  meteorites 
C)  the Moon 
D)  Jupiter B

Question 4

The principle that states that sediment tends to be deposited in horizontal layers is the Principle of ...

Accepted Answer

A)  Original Horizontality. 
B)  Inclusions. 
C)  Superposition. 
D)  Cross-cutting relationships. 
A)  Original Horizontality. 
B)  Inclusions. 
C)  Superposition. 
D)  Cross-cutting relationships.

Question 5

What was wrong with Benoit de Maillet's method of determining the age of Earth?

Accepted Answer

A)  He did not use the scientific method and instead made guesses. 
B)  He based his theories on personal observations without taking into account actual evidence. 
C)  His measuring instruments were of poor quality so he could not collect accurate data. 
D)  He studied the knowledge and assumptions of the scientists of his time and before. 
A)  He did not use the scientific method and instead made guesses. 
B)  He based his theories on personal observations without taking into account actual evidence. 
C)  His measuring instruments were of poor quality so he could not collect accurate data. 
D)  He studied the knowledge and assumptions of the scientists of his time and before.

Question 6

Why is potassium-argon dating least useful for sedimentary rock?

Accepted Answer

A)  Sedimentary rocks are too rare. 
B)  Sedimentary rocks cannot be dated. 
C)  Metamorphic and igneous rocks outnumber sedimentary rocks. 
D)  Sedimentary rocks don't often contain potassium. 
A)  Sedimentary rocks are too rare. 
B)  Sedimentary rocks cannot be dated. 
C)  Metamorphic and igneous rocks outnumber sedimentary rocks. 
D)  Sedimentary rocks don't often contain potassium.

Question 7

How is rock age described?

Accepted Answer

Relative ages establish the sequence of

Question 8

A characteristic number of neutrons defines each element.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Geologists know that radioactive dating methods are valid

Accepted Answer

A)  because they are consistent with proposed theories. 
B)  because they have been compared with dates determined by other methods and have been found to correlate well. 
C)  because they have been compared with dates determined by other methods and have the same exact dates. 
D)  because the instruments always work well when performing laboratory tests. 
A)  because they are consistent with proposed theories. 
B)  because they have been compared with dates determined by other methods and have been found to correlate well. 
C)  because they have been compared with dates determined by other methods and have the same exact dates. 
D)  because the instruments always work well when performing laboratory tests.

Question 10

How are disconformities different from uncomformities?

Accepted Answer

A)  They are the same. 
B)  A disconformity has uniformly layered sediments whereas an uncomformity has horizontal layers with angular beneath or above. 
C)  A disconformity has horizontal layers with angular beneath or above whereas an unconformity has uniformly layered sediments. 
D)  A discomformity is older than an unconformity. 
A)  They are the same. 
B)  A disconformity has uniformly layered sediments whereas an uncomformity has horizontal layers with angular beneath or above. 
C)  A disconformity has horizontal layers with angular beneath or above whereas an unconformity has uniformly layered sediments. 
D)  A discomformity is older than an unconformity.

Question 11

Sedimentary rocks do not record

Accepted Answer

A)  the tectonic history of Earth over time. 
B)  organisms that lived in the past. 
C)  metamorphic processes that have occurred over time. 
D)  regional climate changes. 
A)  the tectonic history of Earth over time. 
B)  organisms that lived in the past. 
C)  metamorphic processes that have occurred over time. 
D)  regional climate changes.

Question 12

A geologist observing a break in a rock formation consisting of sedimentary layers concludes that the layers were displaced as a result of fault movement. Which principle is described here?

Accepted Answer

A)  the principle of inclusions 
B)  the principle of superposition 
C)  the principle of cross-cutting relationships 
D)  the principle of original horizontality 
A)  the principle of inclusions 
B)  the principle of superposition 
C)  the principle of cross-cutting relationships 
D)  the principle of original horizontality

Question 13

Choose the option that correctly arranges the steps involved in the formation of a nonconformity. 1. Metamorphic and plutonic rocks form below the surface.
2) Sedimentary rock is deposited on the eroded surface.
3) Erosion removes overlying rock.

Accepted Answer

A)  1, 2, 3 
B)  1, 3, 2 
C)  2, 1, 3 
D)  3, 1, 2 
A)  1, 2, 3 
B)  1, 3, 2 
C)  2, 1, 3 
D)  3, 1, 2

Question 14

Name two features defined by the principle of cross-cutting relationships.

Accepted Answer

A)  convergent tectonic plates and faults 
B)  faults and dikes 
C)  dikes and sills 
D)  convergent tectonic plates and sills 
A)  convergent tectonic plates and faults 
B)  faults and dikes 
C)  dikes and sills 
D)  convergent tectonic plates and sills

Question 15

Which principle is described below? "Objects enclosed in rock must be older than the time of rock formation."

Accepted Answer

A)  the principle of inclusions 
B)  the principle of superposition 
C)  the principle of cross-cutting relationships 
D)  the principle of original horizontality 
A)  the principle of inclusions 
B)  the principle of superposition 
C)  the principle of cross-cutting relationships 
D)  the principle of original horizontality

Question 16

Plutonic rocks record which part of Earth's history?

Accepted Answer

A)  interior 
B)  surface 
C)  future 
D)  core 
A)  interior 
B)  surface 
C)  future 
D)  core

Question 17

How did the science community piece together the absolute ages of rocks in the last half of the twentieth century?

Accepted Answer

A)  based on where the rock is found, scientists know exactly how old the rock is 
B)  based on the type of rock, scientists know exactly how old it is 
C)  they never did 
D)  through the measurement of radioactive decay 
A)  based on where the rock is found, scientists know exactly how old the rock is 
B)  based on the type of rock, scientists know exactly how old it is 
C)  they never did 
D)  through the measurement of radioactive decay

Question 18

Due to rock cycle processes, finding old rocks by radioactive methods is difficult. What is the age of the oldest single rock found on Earth to date?

Accepted Answer

A)  more than 2 billion years 
B)  more than 2.5 billion years 
C)  more than 3 billion years 
D)  more than 4 billion years 
A)  more than 2 billion years 
B)  more than 2.5 billion years 
C)  more than 3 billion years 
D)  more than 4 billion years

Question 19

How are geologic events placed in relative order?

Accepted Answer

The principle of superposition states th

Question 20

Which was not an incorrect assumption or estimated value made by geology professor John Joly to determine the 80 to 100 million year age of Earth based on the salinity of the oceans?

Accepted Answer

A)  The salt content of river water through time. 
B)  The volume of the ocean. 
C)  The amount of ancient rock salt. 
D)  The salinity of seawater. 
A)  The salt content of river water through time. 
B)  The volume of the ocean. 
C)  The amount of ancient rock salt. 
D)  The salinity of seawater.

Exam 7: Earth Materials As Time Keepers

Gaps in the rock record are of no importance to geologists because no rocks exist from the gap to be studied.

What evidence would lead geologists to conclude that granite underlying sedimentary rock is younger than the sedimentary rock?

According to radioactive dating, which celestial object is the oldest?

The principle that states that sediment tends to be deposited in horizontal layers is the Principle of ...

What was wrong with Benoit de Maillet's method of determining the age of Earth?

Why is potassium-argon dating least useful for sedimentary rock?

How is rock age described?

A characteristic number of neutrons defines each element.

Geologists know that radioactive dating methods are valid

How are disconformities different from uncomformities?

Sedimentary rocks do not record

A geologist observing a break in a rock formation consisting of sedimentary layers concludes that the layers were displaced as a result of fault movement. Which principle is described here?

Choose the option that correctly arranges the steps involved in the formation of a nonconformity. 1. Metamorphic and plutonic rocks form below the surface. 2) Sedimentary rock is deposited on the eroded surface. 3) Erosion removes overlying rock.

Name two features defined by the principle of cross-cutting relationships.

Which principle is described below? "Objects enclosed in rock must be older than the time of rock formation."

Plutonic rocks record which part of Earth's history?

How did the science community piece together the absolute ages of rocks in the last half of the twentieth century?

Due to rock cycle processes, finding old rocks by radioactive methods is difficult. What is the age of the oldest single rock found on Earth to date?

How are geologic events placed in relative order?

Which was not an incorrect assumption or estimated value made by geology professor John Joly to determine the 80 to 100 million year age of Earth based on the salinity of the oceans?

Why Study Earth

Minerals: Building Blocks of the Planet

Rocks and Rock-Forming Processes

Formation of Magma and Igneous Rocks

Formation of Sediment and Sedimentary Rocks

Formation of Metamorphic Rocks

Earth Materials As Time Keepers

Making Earth

Motion Inside Earth

Deformation of Rocks

Global Tectonics: Plates and Plumes

Tectonics and Surface Relief

Soil Formation and Landscape Stability

Mass Movements: Landscapes in Motion

Streams: Flowing Water Shapes the Landscape

Water Flowing Underground

Glaciers: Cold-Climate Sculptors of Continents

Shorelines: Changing Landscapes Where Land Meets Sea

Wind: a Global Geologic Process

Global Warming: Real Time Change in the Earth System

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