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.

How are fossils dated Class 11?

A. Absolute dating is a method used for determining the exact age of a fossil by using radiometric dating for measuring decay of isotope either the fossil or the rock associated with the fossil.

How do scientists know how old rocks are?

The age of rocks is determined by radiometric dating, which looks at the proportion of two different isotopes in a sample. Radioactive isotopes break down in a predictable amount of time, enabling geologists to determine the age of a sample using equipment like this thermal ionization mass spectrometer.