EARTH AND LIFE SCIENCE Q1-WK 5.c PDF

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RELATIVE AND ABSOLUTE

DATING
for EARTH and LIFE SCIENCE – Senior
High School
Quarter 1/ Week 5.c
FOREWORD

Dear Senior High School Students. Welcome back to this


week’s self-learning kit where you will journey to the new lesson.
This learning kit will serve as a guide in understanding deeply the
principles behind determining the age of rocks and fossils.

The age of fossils intrigues almost everyone. It is quite


fascinating to read articles or news updates from our geologists
and paleontologists telling us of their discovered fossils or any
particular object and tell us the time of their existence or from
how long they had been on earth. For example, it is known that
the Earth is 4.6 billion years old. In other words, they can tell us of
the age these rocks, organic materials or a particular event took
place. How is that possible?

In this learning kit you will be able to know how the age of a
fossil is determined and what principles are used to determine the
age of a rock and a particular fossil.
.
Activities and post evaluation are included to make learning
more fun and exciting.

Hence, this leaning kit will be your aid as you embark new
scientific words, ideas and enrich your existing knowledge about
scientific concepts.

The author of this module has been an experienced teacher


in the field of Biology and teaching core and applied subjects in
the Senior High Curriculum.
OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

1. explain how relative and absolute dating are used in


determining the age of stratified rocks;
2. describe different principles used in relative and
absolute dating; and
3. value the importance of scientific developments in
dating rock materials and discoveries of events both in
the past and at present.

1.

LEARNING COMPTENCIES:

Ø Describe the different methods (relative


and absolute dating) to determine the
age of stratified rocks. S11/12ES-Ie-26

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I. WHAT HAPPENED

Let’s Warm Up: MATCH THEM UP!

Directions. Match the pictures in column A to the items in column B


which gives the correct idea using a line. Identify each items in
column B either Relative Dating or Absolute Dating. Write your answer
in the box under column C.
A B C

Optional: Visit https://wordwall.net/resource/3277843 and enjoy


the activity.

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II. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

As an ordinary individual, we cannot tell, even hardly guess the


age of a rock by looking at it. However, as it was mentioned earlier
that geologists and paleontologists could give the ages of the
objects, materials they discovered, and time of events happened in
the past considering that they were not present on that particular time
of event. And so we ask, how were they able to determine the age of
the rocks and fossils in general?
Geologists often need to know the age of material that they find
Geologic age dating is assigning an age to materials. There are two
types of age determinations. Geologists in the late 18th and early 19th
century studied rock layers and the fossils in them to determine
relative age.
Relative dating is the process of determining if one rock or
geologic event is older or younger than another, without knowing their
specific ages like how many years ago the object was formed. It is like
saying that your granny is older than you.

The following are the principles in relative dating.

A. Stratigraphy is the science of understanding


the variations in the successively layered
character of rocks and their composition.
These rocks may be sedimentary, volcanic,
metamorphic or igneous. https://www.slideshare.net/gauravhtandon1/stratigraphy

B. Principle of Superposition: Nicolaus Steno, a


Danish anatomist, geologist, and priest (1636 -
1686) observed the changes in a sequence of
rock layers while working in the mountains of
Italy. Steno's observations became known as
the Law of Superposition which simply stated
that in a sequence of sedimentary rock layers,
https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/165085142577243436/

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each layer of rock is older than the layer above it and younger than
the rock layer below it.

C. Principle of Original Horizontality: Layers of rocks deposited from


above, such as sediments and lava flows, are originally laid down
horizontally. The exception to this principle is at the margins of basins,
where the strata can slope slightly downward into the basin.

D. Principle of Lateral Continuity: Within the depositional basin, strata


are continuous in all directions until they thin out at the edge of that
basin. Of course, all strata eventually end, either by hitting a
geographic barrier, such as a ridge, or when the depositional process
extends too far from its source, either a sediment source or a volcano.
Strata that are cut by a canyon later remain continuous on either side
of the canyon.

E. Principle of Cross-Cutting Relationships:


Deformation events like folds, faults and
igneous intrusions that cut across rocks are
younger than the rocks they cut across.

https://imnh.iri.isu.edu/exhibits/online/geo_time/g
eo_principles.htm

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F. Principle of Inclusions:
When one rock formation
contains pieces or inclusions
of another rock, the included
rock is older than the host
rock.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBQ-l6X6MMk
G. Principle of Fossil Succession:
Evolution has produced a succession of unique fossils that
correlate to the units of the geologic time scale.
Assemblages of fossils contained in strata are unique to the
time they lived and can be used to correlate rocks of the
same age across a wide geographic distribution.
Assemblages of fossils refer to groups of several unique
fossils occurring together.

https://imnh.iri.isu.edu/exhibits/online/geo_time/geo_principles.htm#faunal

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Activity 1.1. Apply the principles in determining the age of the rock
using relative dating method.

Directions: Determine the age of the given layers of the rocks as


shown in the Relative Age Rock Diagram below by indicating numbers
1-10 in the empty circles (1 being the bottom layer).

Activity 1.2. I Can Interpret My Work 1.1.


Directions. Read the guide questions below. Refer to your labelled
answers in Activity 1.1 in accomplishing Activity 1.2. Write are your
answers on the space provided.

1. Which layer is the first? Color? ________________________


2. Which layer is the last? Color? _______________________
3. Which layer is the “oldest” in the sequence? Color?
________________
4. What is the overall sequence of events if there was no
disturbance (from the oldest to youngest)? Write the
number and color sequence.
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

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Relative dating principles was how scientists interpreted Earth
history until the end of the 19th Century. Because science advances
as technology advances, the discovery of radioactivity in the late
1800s provided scientists with a new scientific tool called radioisotopic
dating. Using this new technology, they could assign specific time
units, in this case years, to mineral grains within a rock. These numerical
values are not dependent on comparisons with other rocks such as
with relative dating, so this dating method is called absolute dating. In
other words, absolute dating is determining the actual age of an
event or object in years. It is like saying, you are 17 years old and your
granny is 67 years old. With absolute age dating, you get a real age
in actual years.

There are several types of absolute dating but let us focus few of
the common methods here.

Absolute dating is based either on fossils which are recognized to


represent a particular interval of time, or on radioactive decay of
specific isotopes. Scientists often use radioactive isotopes (atoms of
the same element that have a different number of neutrons) to find
the absolute age of rocks and other materials.

Ø Fossils: The age of sedimentary rock can be determined using


fossils.

Sedimentary rock layers and the fossils within them cannot be


dated directly. But igneous rock layers on either side of a fossil layer
can be dated radiometrically. Once the older and younger rock
layers are dated, scientists can assign an absolute age range to the
sedimentary rock layer containing the fossils.

Index fossils are fossils used to estimate the absolute age of the
rock layers in which they are found. Once the absolute age of an
index fossil is known, it can be used to determine the age of rock layers
containing the same fossil anywhere on Earth.

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Here are some characteristics of an index fossil:
ü The organism from which it formed must have lived during a

relatively short geologic time span.


ü It must be relatively common and must be found over a

large area. Index fossils


ü It must also have features that make them different from

other fossils.
Some of the common index fossils are presented in

the table below.


Index fossils act as markers for the time that the
organisms were alive on Earth. Index fossils can also be
used to date rocks in separate areas. The appearance
of the same index fossil in rock of different areas shows
that the rock layers formed at about the same time.

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Ø Radioactive Decay and Half life

The absolute age of


rock can be determined
using radioactive decay.
Radioactive isotopes are
isotopes that are unstable
and break down into other
isotopes by a process called
radioactive decay (shown in
the figure at the right). The
radioactive isotope is called
the parent isotope, and the
stable isotope formed by its
breakdown is called the
daughter isotope.
Half-life is the time needed
for half of a sample of a
radioactive element to
undergo radioactive decay
and form daughter isotopes.
After one half-life has passed, one-half of the parent isotope has
changed into daughter isotopes (shown in the figure at the right
hand).

Finding the absolute age of a sample by determining the relative


percentages of a radioactive parent isotope and a stable daughter
isotope is called radiometric dating. Igneous rocks are the best types
of rock samples to use for radiometric dating. When igneous rocks
form, minerals in them often contain only a parent isotope and none
of the daughter isotope.

Scientists use many different isotopes for radiometric dating.


The type of isotope used depends on the type of material being
dated. The half-life of the isotope used is also very important. It can’t
be too short or too long compared to the age of the sample.

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Ø Radiocarbon dating is a
method used for dating wood,
bones, shells, and other organic
remains. All living things have a
constant ratio of radioactive
carbon-14 to carbon-12. Once a
plant or an animal dies, no more
carbon is taken in. The ratio
between the isotopes changes
because carbon-14 undergoes
radioactive decay. Radiocarbon
dating can be used to date
organic matter only. This method is
used to date things that lived in
https://chem.libretexts.org/Courses/Furman_University/CHM1
the last 45,000 years. 01%3A_Chemistry_and_Global_Awareness_(Gordon)/05%3A_B
asics_of_Nuclear_Science/5.07%3A_Calculating_Half-Life

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III. WHAT I HAVE LEARNED
Part 1. Identification.
Directions. Study how to determine the relative age of rock
diagram below. List the rock layers in order at the bottom of the
diagram on the lines provided from most recent at the top to
the oldest at the bottom.

Most recent rock formed: ________________________

_______________________

List the rocks _______________________


from oldest
to most
_______________________
recently
formed
_______________________

Oldest rock: _____________________

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Part 2. Short answer.
Directions. Write your own understanding in 3-4 sentences
of the following terms. You will be rated using the rubric
provided.
1. Absolute dating
2. Principle of Superposition
3. Radiocarbon dating
4. Index fossils
5. Principle of Original Horizontality

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REFERENCES

DiMare, Marebeth. n.d. Pinterest . Accessed August 5, 2020.


https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/165085142577243436/.

Chart, Geologic Time. n.d. Geologic Principles. Accessed August 5, 2020.


https://imnh.iri.isu.edu/exhibits/online/geo_time/geo_principles.htm#faunal.

Chris Johnson, Matthew D. Affolter, Paul Inkenbrandt, & Cam Mosher. n.d. Geosciences Libretext.
Accessed August 5, 2020.
https://geo.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Geology/Book%3A_An_Introduction_to_Geology_(Johns
on_Affolter_Inkenbrandt_and_Mosher)/07%3A_Geologic_Time/7.02%3A_Absolute_Dating.

n.d. Science Learning Hub Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao. Accessed August 5, 2020.
https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/1486-absolute-
dating#:~:text=Geologists%20often%20need%20to%20know,geological%20events%20in%20tim
e%20order.

n.d. Fossilera. Accessed August 5, 2020. https://www.fossilera.com/pages/dating-


fossils#:~:text=Absolute%20Dating-
,Absolute%20dating%20is%20used%20to%20determine%20a%20precise%20age%20of,rocks%2
0they%20are%20found%20in.

Geiger, Beth. 2014. Kids Discover. 30 September. Accessed August 5, 2020.


https://www.kidsdiscover.com/teacherresources/geologic-age-dating-explained/.

STRATA, SEPM. 2017. SEPM STRATA. 8 December. Accessed August 5, 2020.


http://www.sepmstrata.org/page.aspx?pageid=15#:~:text=Stratigraphy%20is%20the%20science
%20of,%2C%20volcanic%2C%20metamorphic%20or%20igneous.

Gordon, Elizabeth. 2020. Chemistry Libretexts. 26 February. Accessed August 5, 2020.


https://chem.libretexts.org/Courses/Furman_University/CHM101%3A_Chemistry_and_Global_
Awareness_(Gordon)/05%3A_Basics_of_Nuclear_Science/5.07%3A_Calculating_Half-Life.

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

SCHOOLS DIVISION OF NEGROS ORIENTAL

SENEN PRISCILLO P. PAULIN, CESO V


Schools Division Superintendent

FAY C. LUAREZ, TM, Ed.D., Ph.D.


OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
Acting CID Chief

ADOLF P. AGUILAR
OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

NILITA L. RAGAY, Ed.D.


OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

ROSELA R. ABIERA
Education Program Supervisor – (LRMS)

ARNOLD R. JUNGCO
Education Program Supervisor – (SCIENCE & MATH)

MARICEL S. RASID
Librarian II (LRMDS)

ELMAR L. CABRERA
PDO II (LRMDS)

BERNADETTE NOVEM I. SARDON


Writer/ILLUSTRATOR

BERNADETTE NOVEM I. SARDON


LAY-OUT ARTISTS
________________________________
ALPHA QA TEAM
LIEZEL A. AGOR
EUFRATES G. ANSOK JR.
JOAN Y. BUBULI
MA. OFELIA BUSCATO
DEXTER D. PAIRA
LIELIN A. DE LA ZERNA
BETA QA TEAM
ZENAIDA A. ACADEMIA
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RANJEL D. ESTIMAR
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JUSTIN PAUL ARSENIO C. KINAMOT
ARJIE T. PALUMPA

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SYNOPSIS AND ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Geologic age dating is assigning an age to


rocks and other organic materials. There are two
types of age determinations- relative and absolute
dating.
Relative dating is the process of determining
if one rock or geologic event is older or younger
than another, without knowing their specific ages.
While absolute dating is determining the actual
age of an event or object in years.
There are guiding principles in determining
the age of rocks in relative dating, these are the
law of superposition, original horizontality, cross-
cutting relationships, lateral continuity, inclusions of
rocks and fossil succession.
Some of the methods are also used absolute dating-
radioactive decay, index fossils, determining half-life, and the
commonly used carbon dating.

BERNADETTE NOVEM I. SARDON, is a licensed


professional teacher. She a graduate of
University of San Carlos with the degree of
Bachelor of Science in Biology. She is currently
teaching at San Miguel National High School as
a Senior High teacher, at the same time the
Teacher-in-Charge of the same school. She has
earned units in Masters in Biology and Master of
Education major in Guidance and Psychology.

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