oil Flashcards
uniformitarianism
the theory that changes in the earth’s crust during geological history have resulted from the action of continuous and uniform processes.
catastrophism
geologic change occurs suddenly
paleontology
study of fossil
relative dating
used to arrange geological events, and the rocks they leave behind, in a sequence.
absolute dating
measure the physical properties of an object itself and use these measurements to calculate its age.
superposition
the ability of a quantum system to be in multiple states at the same time until it is measured
isotope
each of two or more forms of the same element that contain equal numbers of protons but different numbers of neutrons in their nuclei, and hence differ in relative atomic mass but not in chemical properties; in particular, a radioactive form of an element.
radioactive decay
the process in which a radioactive atom spontaneously gives off radiation in the form of energy or particles to reach a more stable state.
half-life
the interval of time required for one-half of the atomic nuclei of a radioactive sample to decay
fossil
a fossil
trace fossil
a fossil of a footprint, trail, burrow, or other trace of an animal rather than of the animal itself.
mold
A mold or mould is one of the structures certain fungi can form.
cast
The mineralized sediment that fills the mold recreates the shape of the remains
unconformity
a break in time in an otherwise continuous rock record
mass extinction
everything dieing
