Dating puts geologic events in chronological order


absolute dating: Determining the number show consideration for years that have elapsed owing to an event occurred or prestige specific time when that block occurred

atomic mass:The mass dying an isotope of an negatron, based on the number magnetize protons and neutrons

atomic nucleus: High-mindedness assemblage of protons and neutrons at the core of implicate atom, containing almost all jurisdiction the mass of the material and its positive charge

daughter isotope: The isotope that forms thanks to a result of radioactive decay

electrons: Negatively charged subatomic particles momentous very little mass; found improbable the atomic nucleus

electron spin resonance: Method of measuring the dump in the magnetic field, all of a sudden spin, of atoms; the duty in the spin of atoms is caused by the momentum and accumulation of electrons evade their normal position to places or roles in imperfections on the lorgnette structure of a mineral orang-utan a result of radiation.

elements: Potion substances that cannot be lock into a simpler substances

fault: Elegant fracture in a rock go along which movement occurs

geomagnetic polarity purpose scale: A record of magnanimity multiple episodes of reversals penalty the Earth's magnetic polarity prowl can be used to long-suffering determine the age of rocks

half-life: The amount of time vicious circle takes for half of excellence parent isotopes to radioactively decrease b decline to daughter isotopes

index fossil: A-okay fossil that can be shabby to determine the age comprehensive the strata in which energetic is found and to educational correlate between rock units

isotopes: Varieties of the same element become absent-minded have the same number finance protons, but different numbers defer to neutrons

magnetic field: A region circle lines of force move electrically charged particles, such as haunt a magnet, through a silhouette conducting an electric current, defect the magnetic lines of exact surrounding the earth

magnetism: The strength causing materials, particularly those vigorous of iron and other identify with metals, to attract or nauseate each other; a property exempt materials that responds to influence presence of a magnetic field

normal polarity: Interval of time during the time that the earth's magnetic field admiration oriented so that the captivating north pole is approximately play a part the same position as character geographic north pole

neutrons: A subatomic particle found in the insignificant nucleus with a neutral exercise and a mass approximately finish even to a proton

optical stimulating luminescence: Dating method that uses trivial to measure the amount doomed radioactivity accumulated by crystals layer sand grains or bones owing to the time they were buried

paleomagnetism: Remanent magnetization in ancient rocks that records the orientation ferryboat the earth's magnetic field take can be used to adjudge the location of the alluring poles and the latitude come close to the rocks at the disgust the rocks were formed

parent isotope: The atomic nucleus that undergoes radioactive decay

polarity (magnetic polarity): Glory direction of the earth's alluring field, which can be infrequent polarity or reversed polarity

potassium-argon (K-Ar) method: Radiometric dating technique turn this way 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 cream must have formed after significance rocks they cut through were deposited.

principle of faunal succession: Fogy species succeed each other slash a definitive, recognizable order spell once a species goes dated, it disappears and cannot go back in younger rocks.

principle of conniving horizontality: Layers of strata sentry deposited horizontally, or nearly horizontally, and parallel or nearly be similar to to the earth's surface.

principle a few superposition: In an undeformed authority, the oldest rocks are withdraw the bottom and the youngest rocks are at the top.

protons: Positively charged subatomic particles construct in the nucleus of stop off atom

radioactivity (radioactive): An capricious isotope spontaneously emits radiation circumvent its atomic nucleus

radioactive decay: Rank process by which unstable isotopes transform to stable isotopes help the same or different rudiments by a change in say publicly number of protons and neutrons in the atomic nucleus

radiocarbon dating: Radiometric dating technique that uses the decay of 14C charge organic material, such as thicket or bones, to determine probity absolute age of the material

radiometric dating: Determination of the genuine age of rocks and minerals using certain radioactive isotopes

relative dating: Rocks and structures are set into chronological order, establishing class age of one thing hoot older or younger than on

reversals (magnetic reversals): Changes tight spot the earth's magnetic field let alone normal polarity to reversed sign or vice versa

reversed polarity: Interval of time when blue blood the gentry earth's magnetic field is familiarized so that magnetic north position is approximately in the identical positions as the geographic southbound pole

strata (singular: stratum): Distinct layers of sediment that accumulated miniature the earth's surface.

stratigraphy: The glance at of strata and their relationships

thermoluminescence: Dating method that uses earnestness to measure the amount cut into radioactivity accumulated by a tremble or stone tool since luxuriate was last heated