Download Study Guide Geo Time Test

Study Guide - Geological Time
Name _________________________ Core 1 2 3
_____/ 50 pts.
Part A Geological Time Vocabulary: Add the geological term to match the definitions.
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system of chronological measurement that uses both stratigraphy and radiometric
dating to describe the timing and relationships between events that have occurred
throughout Earth’s history is called
a method of dating geological or archeological specimens by determining the relative
proportions of particular radioactive isotopes present in a sample.
The study of rock layers (strata), especially the distribution, deposition, and age of
sedimentary rocks.
a long and distinct period of history with a particular feature or characteristic; several
hundred million years
subdivision of an era
subdivision of a period
extinct marine arthropod that occurred abundantly during the Paleozoic era, with a
carapace over the forepart, and a segmented hind part divided longitudinally into three
lobes.
the remains or impression of a prehistoric organism preserved in petrified form or as a
mold or cast in rock.
external skeleton
internal skeleton
a theory explaining the structure of the earth's crust and many associated phenomena
resulting from lithospheric plates that move over the underlying mantle.
blue-green algae a group of photosynthetic bacteria which release oxygen into the
atmosphere
a cold-blooded vertebrate animal that has an aquatic gill-breathing larval stage
followed by a terrestrial lung-breathing adult stage. Egg layers in water.
a cold-blooded vertebrate of a class that includes snakes, lizards, crocodiles, turtles,
and tortoises. They are distinguished by having a dry scaly skin, and typically laying
soft-shelled eggs on land.
the state or process of a species becoming extinct, no longer existing on the Earth.
a continent which included all the landmass of the earth prior to the Triassic period
a plant, such as a pine tree, whose seeds are not enclosed within an ovary, fruit.
a plant having its seeds enclosed in an ovary; a flowering plant.
a warm-blooded vertebrate animal of a class that is distinguished by the possession of
hair or fur, the secretion of milk by females for the nourishment of the young, and the
birth of live young.
a mammal of an order whose members are born incompletely developed and are
typically carried and suckled in a pouch on the mother's belly.
21. Which type of skeleton do our classroom pets have? Include at least 2 in each category.
Endoskeleton
Exoskeleton
Both
22. What is the key difference between angiosperms and endosperms? ____________________________
23. What is the key difference between amphibians, mammals and reptiles? _______________________
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Part B Using a Geological Timelscale Chart: Use Handout I to complete questions 24 24. Create a timeline showing the 4 major eras in chronological order including time spans.
Eras
Time Span:
_________________
________________
_________________
_________________
25. Complete the following table:
Key Organisms
Homo sapiens sapiens
Time Period
Trilobites
Dinosaurs
Mammals are dominant life forms
Fish were dominant life forms
Invertebrates , marine plants
Part C Characteristics of Key Geological Eras – Complete the following chart.
Geological Era
Key Characteristics
26. Precambrian
26. Paleozoic
27. Mesozoic
28. Cenozoic
29. Why are cyanobacteria important? _________________________________________________________________
30. Why are trilobites such good index fossils? ________________________________________________________
31. Why is there such a scarcity of fossils from the Pre-cambrian? __________________________________
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Part D Relative Dating – Complete the following table to summarize the key relative dating
principles.
Principle
Description in Your Own Words
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Diagram demonstrating the
principle.
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Superposition
Cross-cutting
Inclusions
Original Horizontality
39. Use relative dating principles to create a relative
timeline.
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40. Which principles did you use in # 39?
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Use relative dating principles to create a
relative timeline.
_______________________________________________
42. Which principles did you use in #41?
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Part D Absolute Dating:
43. Can you use relative dating principles to determine actual dates? Yes ____ No _____
44. What technique do geologists use to determine absolute dates for fossils and strata?
r_____________________________ t________________________
45. How long does it take a 100.00g sample of Arsenic to decay to 50g? (The half-life or
Arsenic = 33 seconds)
46. How many half-lives does it take a 200 g sample of Arsenic to decay to 25 g? (The halflife or Arsenic = 33 seconds)
Use the following table of commonly used isotopes for problems # 47– 49.
Radioactive Parent
Stable Daughter
Product
Half Life Values
U-238
Pb-206
45 Billion Years
U-235
Pb-207
713 Million Years
K - 40
Ar-40
1.3 Billion Years
C -14
N-14
5730 Years
47. How long would it take for a 50 g sample of K-40 to decay to 50% K-40 and 50% Ar-40?
48. How many half lives does it take a 500 mg sample of U-238 to decay to 125 mg ?
49. How long would it take for 4 half lives to occur for the isotope U-235?
50. How old do geologists estimate the Earth to be? ________________________________ What evidence
do they use to support this date? _________________________________________________________________________
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