Question
Why is radioactive dating important when approximating the age of Earth?
Scientists can identify different life forms using index fossil records.
Scientists can examine how temperature changes within Earth’s interior.
Scientists can determine the order of when rocks formed on Earth.
Scientists can analyze changes in chemical concentration of atmospheric gases.
Scientists can identify different life forms using index fossil records.
Scientists can examine how temperature changes within Earth’s interior.
Scientists can determine the order of when rocks formed on Earth.
Scientists can analyze changes in chemical concentration of atmospheric gases.
Answers
GPT-5 mini
"Scientists can determine the order of when rocks formed on Earth." — correct.
Why: Radiometric (radioactive) dating measures decay of unstable isotopes with known half-lives to give numeric (absolute) ages for rocks and minerals. That lets geologists place rock units in time and convert relative sequences (from fossils or layering) into actual ages (e.g., Earth ≈ 4.54 billion years). The other choices describe fossil identification (relative dating), interior temperature changes, or atmospheric chemistry, which are not the primary purpose of radioactive dating.
Why: Radiometric (radioactive) dating measures decay of unstable isotopes with known half-lives to give numeric (absolute) ages for rocks and minerals. That lets geologists place rock units in time and convert relative sequences (from fossils or layering) into actual ages (e.g., Earth ≈ 4.54 billion years). The other choices describe fossil identification (relative dating), interior temperature changes, or atmospheric chemistry, which are not the primary purpose of radioactive dating.