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Multiple Choice
How do index fossils assist in dating other fossils in the context of organic chemistry?
A
Index fossils are used to measure the absolute age of rocks through radiometric dating.
B
Index fossils indicate the presence of organic compounds in rocks.
C
Index fossils help determine the relative age of rock layers.
D
Index fossils provide information about the chemical composition of rocks.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of index fossils: Index fossils are fossils of organisms that lived during a relatively short geological time period but were widespread geographically. They are used as markers to identify the relative ages of rock layers.
Recognize the role of index fossils in relative dating: Index fossils help geologists determine the relative age of rock layers by comparing the presence of these fossils in different layers. This is based on the principle of superposition, where lower layers are older than upper layers.
Differentiate between relative and absolute dating: While index fossils are used for relative dating, absolute dating involves techniques like radiometric dating to determine the actual age of rocks. Index fossils do not provide absolute ages but help establish a timeline of events.
Clarify the misconception about chemical composition: Index fossils do not provide direct information about the chemical composition of rocks. Their primary use is in establishing the relative age of rock layers.
Summarize the importance of index fossils: By identifying and using index fossils, scientists can correlate rock layers across different geographic locations, helping to piece together the history of the Earth and the evolution of life.