Use the image to answer the question.

Question

A photograph shows a tall rock formation. It has lines on it that are parallel to the ground from top to bottom. The lines are of different colors and shades.

Scientists use radiometric dating to determine the exact age of rocks. What might scientists hypothesize about the natural structure shown in the image?

(1 point)
Responses

The highest layer on the structure will be the oldest, while the lowest layer will be the youngest.
The highest layer on the structure will be the oldest, while the lowest layer will be the youngest.

The lightest layers on the structure will be the oldest, while the darkest layers will be the youngest.
The lightest layers on the structure will be the oldest, while the darkest layers will be the youngest.

The lowest layer on the structure will be the oldest, while the highest layer will be the youngest.
The lowest layer on the structure will be the oldest, while the highest layer will be the youngest.

The darkest layers on the structure will be the oldest, while the lightest layers will be the youngest.
The darkest layers on the structure will be the oldest, while the lightest layers will be the youngest.
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Answer 1

The lightest layers on the structure will be the oldest, while the darkest layers will be the youngest. Scientists might hypothesize this based on the principle of superposition, which states that in an undisturbed sequence of rock layers, the oldest rocks will be at the bottom and the youngest at the top.