1 – Basic Principles

True-False

The Principle of Biologic/(Fossil) Succession applies to most fossils, but not to dinosaurs.

Although the Principle of Biologic/(Fossil) Succession applies to most fossils, it does not work for dinosaurs.

Formations, like the Tapeats Sandstone of the Grand Canyon, are often not the same age everywhere, that is, they are often time transgressive.

Formations, like the Tapeats Sandstone of the Grand Canyon, are often time transgressive, that is, they are often not the same age everywhere.

Time units like the Late Cretaceous epoch are abstract units, while chronostratigraphic units like the Upper Cretaceous series are the actual rocks deposited during the Late Cretaceous epoch.

While chronostratigraphic units like the Upper Cretaceous series are the actual rocks deposited during the Late Cretaceous epoch, time units like the Late Cretaceous epoch are abstract units.

The fundamental geochronologic (time) unit in geology is the period.

Chronostratigraphic (time-stratigraphic) units consist of the rocks deposited during a certain time interval.

A transgression is a movement of the shoreline landward.

Movement of the shoreline landward is called a transgression.

A regression is a movement of the shoreline seaward.

Movement of the shoreline seaward is called a regression.

The atomic number of 92U235 (Uranium-235) is 235.

An alpha particle consists of the nucleus of a Helium atom.

A beta particle consists of the nucleus of a Hydrogen atom.

A beta (b) particle consists of the nucleus of a Helium atom.

A b (beta) particle is an electron emitted from radioactive nuclei.

During beta (b) decay, an atom decreases in atomic number by 2 & atomic mass by 4.

During a (alpha) decay, an atom decreases in atomic number by 2 & atomic mass by 4.

During alpha (a) decay, an atom increases in atomic number by 1 & its atomic mass remains the same.

37Rb87 decays to 38Sr87 by b (beta) emission decay

37Rb87 (Rubidium-87) decays to 38Sr87 (Strontium-87) by a (alpha) decay.

It takes exactly half the amount of time for 50 grams of a radioactive element to decay to 25 grams as for 100 grams of that same radioactive element to decay to 50 grams.

It takes the same amount of time for 100 grams of a radioactive element to decay to 50 grams as for 50 grams of that same radioactive element to decay to 25 grams.

It takes exactly the same amount of time for 100 grams of a radioactive element to decay to 50 grams as for 1 gram of that same radioactive element to decay to half a gram.

It takes exactly half the amount of time for 100 grams of a radioactive element to decay to 50 grams as for 50 grams of that same radioactive element to decay to 25 grams.

It takes exactly twice the amount of time for 100 grams of a radioactive element to decay to 50 grams as for 50 grams of that same radioactive element to decay to 25 grams.

It takes exactly half the amount of time for 200 grams of a radioactive element to decay to 100 grams as for 100 grams of that same radioactive element to decay to 50 grams.

During radiometric dating of a rock sample, the initial quantity of the parent isotope is determined by adding the amount of the parent isotope currently remaining with the amount of the daughter isotope.

The initial quantity of the parent isotope is determined by adding the amount of the daughter isotope with the amount of the parent isotope currently remaining during radiometric dating of a rock sample.

During radiometric dating of a rock sample, the original quantity of parent isotope is measured directly.

During radiometric dating of a rock sample, the quantity of the daughter isotope is measured directly.

All samples radiometrically dated by using radioactive elements that decay to the various isotopes of Lead (Pb) originally contained NO Pb.

Rocks that contained lead initially cannot be dated radiometrically.

All Pb (lead) isotopes have a radiogenic source (that is, produced by radioactive decay of a radioactive element).

Many of the principle radiometric timekeepers are long-lived radioactive isotope pairs with half lives measured in millions or billions of years.

There is NO principle radiometric timekeeper with a half live less than one million years long.

There is at least one principle radiometric timekeeper with a half live less than one million years long.

The half-life of Rb87 is 48.8 billion years.

19K40 (Potassium-40) has a half life measuring only a few thousand (5730 specifically) years.

A rock that has a present 19K40 (Potassium-40) content that is exactly one-quarter (25%) of its original 19K40 content is 2.6 billion years old. (The half-life of 19K40 is 1.3 billion years).

A volcanic rock containing 25% of the 19K40 [potassium-40](half life = 1.3 billion years) that it had when it first erupted at the surface is 2.6 billion years old.

A volcanic rock containing 25% of the 19K40 (half life = 1.3 billion years) that it had when it first erupted at the surface is 1.3 billion years old (that is, slightly younger than Mick Jagger).

A volcanic rock containing one-half (50%) of the 19K40 (half life = 1.3 billion years) that it had when it first erupted at the surface is 1.3 billion years old.

A rock that has a present 92U235 (Uranium-235) content that is exactly one-eighth (12.5%) of its original 92U235 content is 2.13 billion (2,130 million) years old. (The half-life of 19K40 is 710 million years).

A fossil whale bone containing 12.5% (one eighth) of the C14 [carbon-14](half life = 5,730 years) that it had when it was part of a living whale is 17,190 years old

6C14 (Carbon-14) is useful for dating Archean-age granites.

6C14 (Carbon-14) is useful for dating Mesozoic-age schists.

Carbon-14 (6C14) is useful for dating geologically young (less than 100,000 years old) organic material.

6C14 (Carbon-14) is useful for dating a 25,000-year old whale bone.

A 180 million year old dinosaur bone could usefully be radiometrically dated with carbon-14 (6C14).

Carbon-14 (6C14) would be useful for radiometrically dating a 180 million year old dinosaur bone.

Multiple Choice

Which basic principle of geology states ”The oldest layer is at the bottom in undisturbed strata?”

A. cross-cutting relations B. inclusions C. lateral continuity D. original continuity E. superposition

”The oldest layer is at the bottom in undisturbed strata” is stated by which basic principle of geology?

A. superposition B. original continuity C. lateral continuity D. inclusions E. cross-cutting relations

The Principle of Superposition states ______________________________.

A. sediment is originally deposited in nearly horizontal layers. D. none of these

B. the oldest layer is at the bottom and the youngest layer is at the top.

C. an igneous intrusion or fault is younger than the rock intruded or cut.

The Principle that states ______________________________ is Superposition.

A. sediment is originally deposited in nearly horizontal layers. D. none of these

B. an igneous intrusion or fault is younger than the rock intruded or cut.

C. the oldest layer is at the bottom and the youngest layer is at the top.

The Principle of Faunal/Fossil/Biologic Succession states ______________________________.

A. sediment is originally deposited in nearly horizontal layers. D. none of these

B. the oldest layer is at the bottom and the youngest layer is at the top.

C. an igneous intrusion or fault is younger than the rock intruded or cut.

The Principle that states ______________________________ is Faunal/Fossil/Biologic Succession.

A. sediment is originally deposited in nearly horizontal layers. D. none of these

B. an igneous intrusion or fault is younger than the rock intruded or cut.

C. the oldest layer is at the bottom and the youngest layer is at the top.

Which of the following is an example of a TIME unit (as opposed to a TIME-STRATIGRAPHIC unit)?

A. Permian Period B. Paleocene Epoch C. Late Triassic D. all of these E. none of these

The geologic period is the fundamental _______________ unit.

A. biostratigraphic B. time C. time-stratigraphic D. lithostratigraphic E. none of these

________________ is the name given to an unconformity cut into metamorphic or igneous rocks & overlain by sedimentary rocks.

A. nonconformity B. angular unconformity C. disconformity D. all of these E. none of these

An unconformity cut into metamorphic or igneous rocks & overlain by sedimentary rocks is called a/an _______________.

A. disconformity B. angular unconformity C. nonconformity D. all of these E. none of these

It takes ________________ amount of time for 50 grams of a radioactive element to decay to 25 grams as for 100 grams of that same radioactive element to decay to 50 grams..

A. exactly half the B. the same C. exactly twice the D. all of these depending on the isotope E. none of these

For 100 grams of a radioactive element to decay to 50 grams takes ________________ amount of time as for 50 grams of that same radioactive element to decay to 25 grams.

A. exactly twice the B. the same C. exactly half the D. all of these depending on the isotope E. none of these

Which of the following sub-atomic particles has an atomic mass of 1?

A. proton B. neuton C. electron D. a/b particle E. both A. & B.

A(n) ________________________ consists of 2 protons & 2 neutrons and has an atomic mass of 4?

A. Hydrogen (1H1) nucleus B. Carbon (6C12) nucleus

C. a (alpha) particle D. b (beta) particle E. both A. & B.

A(n) ________________________ is electrically-neutral & has an atomic mass of 1.

A. Hydrogen (1H1) nucleus B. neutron C. proton D. electron

E. none of these

________________________ is produced when an atom of 90Th234 (Thorium-234) decays by a single b decay.

A. 92U234 (Uranium-234) B. 91Pa234 (Protactinium-234)

C. 90Th234 (Thorium-234) D. 82Pb206 (Lead-206) E. none of these

D. 82Pb208 (Lead-208)

Which of the following happens when 92U238 (Uranium-238) decays by a single a decay?

A. 92U234 (Uranium-234) is produced B. 91Pa234 (Protactinium-234) is produced

C. 90Th234 (Thorium-234) is produced D. 82Pb206 (Lead-206) is produced E. none of these

c. 92Th238 (Thorium-238) is produced d. 82Pb208 (Lead-208) is produced

After a single a (alpha) emission, 92U238 (Uranium-238) decays to:

A. 82Pb206 (Lead-206). B. 82Pb207 (Lead-207).

C. 82Pb207 (Lead-207). D. 92U235 (Uranium-235).

E. 90Th2234 (Thorium-234).

Which of the following happens when an atom of 19K40 (Potassium-40) emits a single b particle?

________________________ is produced when an atom of 19K40 (Potassium-40) Captures an electron.

A. 20Ca40 (Calcium-40) is produced B. 19K39 (Potassium-39) is produced

C. 18Ar40 (Argon-40) is produced D. both A. and B. E. none of these

B. 17Cl36 (Chlorine-36) is produced

19K40 (potassium-40) decays to a stable isotope of ______________.

A. strontium B. nitrogen C. lead D. argon

Which of the following radioactive isotopes produces 38Sr87 (Strontium-87) as a stable isotope by beta (b) decay?

A. 38Sr87 (Strontium-87) is not produced by radioactive decay at all. B. 92U238

C. 38Sr86 (Strontium-86) D. 37Rb86 (Rubidium-86) E. 37Rb87 (Rubidium-87)

E. none of these

A. 37Rb87 (Rubidium-87) B. 92U238 (Uranium-238) C. 6C14 (Carbon-14) D. 38Sr86 (Strontium-86)

E. none of these

Which of the following radioactive isotopes decay to a stable Pb (lead) isotope?

A. 92U238 B. 92U234 C. 90Th232 D. all of these E. none of these

Which of the following decays to a stable isotope of Lead (Pb)?

A. Rb87 B. C14 C. U238 D. All of these E. None of these

Which of the following radioactive isotopes has a decay series ending with Lead 207 as the stable daughter product?

A. Carbon 14 B. Uranium 235 C. Potassium 40 D. Rubidium 87 E. Protactinium 231

Which of the following radioactive isotopes has a decay series ending with a Lead (Pb) isotope as a stable daughter product?

A. 92U235 (Uranium-235) B. 37Rb87 (Rubidium-87)

C. 19K40 (Potassium-40) D. all of these. E. both B. & C.

B. Uranium 238

Which of the following radioactive isotopes produces a daughter product by b (beta) decay?

A. 37Rb87 (Rubidium-87) B. 19K40 (Potassium-40)

C. 92U235 (Uranium-235) D. all of these E. both A. & B.

Which of the following lead (Pb) isotopes does not have a radiogenic source?

A. Pb204 B. Pb206 C. Pb207 D. Pb208 E. none of these

The isotope produced when 6C14 (Carbon-14) decays by b (beta) decay is ______________. (b particle = -1b0)

A. 6C12 (Carbon-12) B. 7N14 (Nitrogen-14) C. 6C13 (Carbon-13) D. 4B10 (Boron-10)

E. 8C18 (Oxygen-18)

Which radioactive decay series has the shortest half life?

A. 92U238/82Pb206 B. 92U234/82Pb207 C. 90Th232/82Pb208 D. 19K40/18Ar40 E. C14

Which of the following radioactive isotopes has a half life generally expressed in millions or billions of years?

_____ is a radioactive isotopes that has a half life generally expressed in millions or billions of years.

A. 37Rb87 B. 92U238 C. C14 (Carbon-14) D. both A. & B. E. none of these

Which of the following radioactive isotopes has a half life of 5730 years?

A. Carbon 14 B. Protactinium 231 C. Potassium 40 D. all of these E. none of these

The half life of 6C14 (Carbon 14) is:

A. 5,730 years B. 710 my C. 1.3 by D. 4.5 by E. 14 by

Which of the following radioactive isotopes has a half life generally expressed in thousands of years?

A. 6C14 (Carbon-14) B. 37Rb87 (Rubidium-87)

C. 92U238 (Uranium-238) D. all of these. E. both B. & C.

How old is a rock that has a present 92U235 (Uranium-235) content that is exactly one-fourth of the original 92U235 content? (The half-life of 92U235 is 713 my).

A. 178 my B. 713 my C. 1.426 by (1426 my)

D. 2.852 by (2852 my) E. none of these

How old is a rock with a present 92U238 (Uranium-238) content that is exactly one-half of the original 92U238 content? (The half-life of 92U238 is 4.51 by).

A. 9.02 by B. 4.51 by C. 2.26 by D. 1.12 by E. none of these

How old is a rock that has a present 19K40 (Potassium-40) content that is exactly one-eighth (12.5%) of its original 19K40 content? (The half-life of 19K40 is 1,300 million years).

How old is a rock that has a present 19K40 (Potassium-40) content that is exactly one-fourth (12.5%) of its original 19K40 content? (The half-life of 19K40 is 1,300 million years).

A. 162.5 million years B. 650 million years C. 1,300 million years

D. 2,600 million years E. 3,900 million years

A volcanic rock containing 50%/25% (one-quarter) of the 19K40 (half life = 1.3 billion years) that it had when it first erupted at the surface is ____________________.

A. 3.9 by old B. 2.6 by old C. 1.3 by old D. 0.65 by old E. slightly younger than Mick Jagger/Elton John

How old is a rock with a present 6C14 (Carbon-14) content that is exactly one-half/one-quarter of the original 6C14 content? (The half-life of 6C14 is 5,730 years.]).

A. 11,460 years B. 8,595 years C. 5,730 years D. 2,865 years E. 1,432.5 years

Which of the following radioactive isotopes would not be useful for dating an Archean granite?

A. 37Rb87 (Rubidium-87) B. 92U238 (Uranium-238) C. 92U235 (Uranium-235) D. 19K40 (Potassium-40)

E. 6C14 (Carbon-14)

Which of the following radioactive decay series would be used to date a 25,000 year old whale bone?

A. 92U238/82Pb206 B. 92U234/82Pb207 C. 90Th232/82Pb208 D. 19K40/18Ar40 E. C14

A. 92U238 B. 92U234 C. 37Rb87 D. 19K40 E. 6C14

Which of the following radioactive isotopes would be especially useful for dating a 15,000 year old piece of wood/clam shell?

A. 37Rb87 (Rubidium-87) B. 92U238 (Uranium-238) C. 92U235 (Uranium-235)

D. all of these E. none of these

D. 6C14 (Carbon-14) E. 19K40 (Potassium-40)

Fill-in-the-Blank

The fundamental geochronologic unit is the _______________________.

TheTriassic PERIOD is an example of a ________________________________________________ unit.

A _________________________ is electrically-neutral & has an atomic mass of 1.

A _________________________ has a positive electrical charge & an atomic mass of 1.

A positively charged subatomic particle with a mass of 1 is called a(n) _________________________________.

A _____________ particle is absorbed during the production of Ar40 (Argon-40) from K40 (Potassium-40).

A ___________________ particle is emitted when 90Th234 (Thorium) decays to 91Pa234 (Protactinium).

A(n) _________________________________ particle is emitted when 92U238 (Uranium-238) decays to 90Th234 (Thorium-234).

A(n) ___________________ is captured during the production of 18Ar40 (Argon-40) from 19K40 (Potassium-40).

The half lives of Rb87, Th232, U238 & K40 are measured in _________________________ of years.

Carbon-14 is useful for dating organic materials younger than _________________________________ years old.

Carbon-14 is useful for dating organic materials older / younger (circle one) than 100,000 years.

Except for ____________________, with a half-life of 5,730 years, the principal radioactive decay series used for mineral & total-rock dating have half-lives measured in hundreds of millions & billions of years.

Uranium-235, Uranium-238 & Thorium-232 all decay to stable isotopes of ______________________________ (the name of an element).

92U235 (Uranium-235) & 19U238 (Uranium -238) both decay to stable isotopes of ______________________________ (the name of an element).

Rubidium-87 decays to ______________________________.

2 – Plate Tectonics

True-False

The lithosphere is the rigid upper part of the Earth and consists of the crust plus the upper ~100 km of mantle.

The crust plus the upper ~100 km of mantle forms the lithosphere, the rigid upper part of the Earth.

The lithosphere is divided into large (major) and many smaller (minor) plates.

The lithosphere is divided into large (major) and many smaller (minor) plates.

The shape of the continents has nothing to do with continental drift.

The shape of the continents has nothing to do with continental drift.

Paleoclimatology has nothing to do with continental drift.

Paleoclimatology has nothing to do with continental drift.

The Mid-Ocean Ridge is associated with divergent plate boundaries.

Divergent plate boundaries are associated with the Mid-Ocean Ridge.

Deep-sea trenches are associated with convergent plate boundaries.

Convergent plate boundaries are associated with deep-sea trenches.

Mantle convection is the basic cause of plate tectonics.

The basic cause of plate tectonics is mantle convection.

That continents alternately consolidate into large supercontinents or disperse into several continental masses has no effect on organic evolution.

Organic evolution is not affected by the continents alternately consolidating into large supercontinents and dispersing into several continental masses.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements about the Earth's COMPOSITIONAL structure is true?

A. The core is composed of iron & magnesium silicates & oxides. B. Continental crust has a basaltic composition.

C. Oceanic crust has a granitic composition. D. all of these E. none of these

Which of the following statements about the Earth's COMPOSITIONAL structure is true?

A. Continental crust has a basaltic composition. B. Oceanic crust has a granitic composition.

C. The core is composed of iron & magnesium silicates & oxides. D. all of these E. none of these

Fill in the Blank

The plates of the Earth consist of ____________________________________ (strength layer).

The strength layer of which plates of the Earth consist is ____________________________________.

3 – Dinosaur Fossil Collecting

True-False

The best place to look for dinosaur fossils is in sedimentary rocks of Mesozoic age deposited in terrestrial environments.

Sedimentary rocks of Mesozoic age deposited in terrestrial environments are the best place to look for dinosaur fossils.

Multiple Choice

The best place to look for dinosaur fossils is in _______rocks of _______age deposited in _______environments.

A. metamorphic, Cenozoic, marine B. igneous, Paleozoic, marine C. sedimentary, Mesozoic, terrestrial

D. both A. & B. E. none of these

The best place to look for dinosaur fossils is in _______rocks of _______age deposited in _______environments.

A. metamorphic, Cenozoic, marine B. igneous, Paleozoic, marine C. sedimentary, Mesozoic, terrestrial

D. both A. & B. E. none of these