Curated OER
Who Was Here First? Relative Dating
Students read about and complete question activities for the topic of relative dating. In this relative dating lesson, students read information for the topic and then complete two activities to further their understanding of geologic...
Curated OER
How Do We Measure Absolute Time?-Geologic Clocks
In this absolute time worksheet, students define radiometric dating, tree rings and varves as means to measure absolute time. They are given information about each of these methods of dating.
Curated OER
Absolute Ages of Rocks
In this ages of rock worksheet, students review the processes involved with determining the ages of rocks which includes the radioactive decay of carbon-14. This worksheet has 5 matching and 5 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Understanding the Geologic Timescale
Students identify and analyze how the geologic time scale was developed by investigating 11 periods of time and the vast expanse of time of the Earth's existence. They study their period, determine the important factors indicative to...
McGraw Hill
Mc Grawl Hill: Dino Dig
A virtual lab allows you to do radiometric dating on dinosaur bones. You'll be using a mass spectrometer and utilizing several steps of the scientific method.
University of North Carolina
University of North Carolina: Radiometric Dating
A huge site from The University of North Carolina regarding radiometric dating, how it works, inaccurate methods, Carbon-14 dating, and lots more.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Radioactive Dating Game
Learn about different types of radiometric dating, such as carbon dating. Understand how decay and half-life work to enable radiometric dating. Play a game that tests your ability to match the percentage of the dating element that...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating the Geologic Time Scale: Trends in Geologic Time
In this Earth Science indoor laboratory inquiry, students will create their own geologic time scale based on observation of teacher supplied, historically correct fossil data and also relevant rock samples with the age of the rock sample...
Talk Origins Archive
Talk Origins Archive: Radiometric Dating and the Geological Time Scale
A lengthy article with lots of information about radiometric dating, including pictures and charts.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Radioactive Dating Game
Learn about different types of radiometric dating, such as carbon dating. Understand how decay and half life work to enable radiometric dating. Play a game that tests your ability to match the percentage of the dating element that...
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Radioactive Dating Game
Explore various types of radiometric dating.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: Paleobiology: Absolute Dating
An explanation of radiometric or absolute dating of geological formations based on using the half-life of radioactive elements to figure out how old given rock layers are. A link on the left provides information about relative dating as...
Australian Museum
Australian Museum: Radioactive Dating
This article explains what radioactive dating is and describes the different techniques used, what they are used for, and the limitations of each.
Other
University of Waikato: Science Learning Hub: Absolute Dating
Explains what absolute dating is as compared to relative dating and how they can work together. The characteristics of several different radiometric methods are compared. Includes three short videos and an interactive where students...
Other
Western Oregon University: Earth System Science: Geologic Time [Pdf]
An 81-page slideshow that looks at the principles of geology with respect to relative dating, at different concepts describing geological processes, at absolute age and radiometric dating, at the eons and eras in the geologic time scale,...
US Geological Survey
The Numeric Time Scale
This is a good source for getting an in-depth description of using radioactive decay to measure the ages of rocks. In addition to describing the process of radiometric dating, this resource also includes a geologic time scale and four...
University of California
University of California Museum of Paleontology: Geologic Time
Learn about geologic time, including the age of the Earth by putting it in terms of pages in a book.
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Geologic Time and Correlation
In this amazing interactive tutorial you will learn about what methods are used by geologists to learn about the history of the Earth. Investigate a geologic time scale and learn about how scientists have developed and organized a record...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Radiometric Dating
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] How scientists can use radioactive decay to find the age of certain materials.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Tree Rings, Ice Cores, and Varves
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] How scientists can determine age and other features of a rock or material it contains.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Tree Rings, Ice Cores, and Varves
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] How scientists can determine age and other features of a rock or other material.
US Geological Survey
Usgs: Geologic Time
This large U.S. Geological Survey site offers a look at the age of the earth, how radiometric dating is used to calculate it, the major divisions of geologic time, and the classification and use of fossils.
Extreme Science
Extreme Science: How Old Is the Earth?
We say Earth is 4.6 billion years old, but how do we know? How do we measure its age? This article focuses on these questions and how long life has been on Earth.
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Woods Hole Oceanography Institute: Introduction to the Galapagos Islands
Find out how scientists at Woods Hole Oceanography Institute use radiometric dating to figure out the age of volcanoes. A slideshow of the history of radiometric dating can also be viewed.