Question

Select the statement(s) that are true about absolute dating.

Radioactive isotopes break down into more stable elements.

Absolute dating gives the actual age in years, while relative dating only compares the age to other rocks or fossils.

Radiometric dating is a method of absolute dating.

Carbon-14 is used to find the age of a fossil.

Absolute dating must be done in undisturbed rock layers.

Answer 1

1. Radioactive isotopes break down into more stable elements. — True. Radioactive (parent) isotopes decay to more stable daughter isotopes/elements over time.

2. Absolute dating gives the actual age in years, while relative dating only compares the age to other rocks or fossils. — True. Absolute = numerical age (years); relative = order or younger/older relationships.

3. Radiometric dating is a method of absolute dating. — True. Radiometric methods use known decay rates to calculate numeric ages.

4. Carbon-14 is used to find the age of a fossil. — Partly true. C-14 dating works for once‑living (organic) material up to ~50,000–60,000 years old, so it can date recent fossils/organics but not most older, mineralized fossils.

5. Absolute dating must be done in undisturbed rock layers. — False. Absolute dating (especially radiometric) measures isotopes in rocks/minerals themselves and can be applied even when layers are disturbed, though alteration/metamorphism can reset isotopic systems and must be considered.