What is the most widely used dating technique in paleontology?

One of the most widely used and well-known absolute dating techniques is carbon-14 (or radiocarbon) dating, which is used to date organic remains. This is a radiometric technique, since it is based on radioactive decay.

What kind of dating would a paleontologist use an index fossil for?

By correlating fossils from various parts of the world, scientists are able to give relative ages to particular strata. This is called relative dating. Relative dating tells scientists if a rock layer is older or younger than another.

What is a rocks radiometric clock?

To establish the age of a rock or a fossil, researchers use some type of clock to determine the date it was formed. Geologists commonly use radiometric dating methods, based on the natural radioactive decay of certain elements such as potassium and carbon, as reliable clocks to date ancient events.

What rock is the youngest?

Figure 8.5. Layer D is the youngest rock and layer A is the oldest.