which other major scientific theory provides the basis for relative dating? course hero

Why is relative dating important in geology?

How does the Earth Work? Know the Three major Geosystems: The Plate Tectonics system, The Geodynamo, and the Climate System. How do they interact and affect each other? 8. Know the principles of relative dating. What is the difference between relative …

What is the difference between relative dating and numerical dating?

Sep 30, 2017 · View Test Prep - exam 2 answer.docx from AST 111 at Arizona State University. According to modern scientific dating techniques, approximately how old is the solar system? 4.5 Compared to the distance

Do scientists continue to do research studies to test hypothesis?

As president of Paper Products, Inc., Jim wants his manufacturing manager to clearly define the steps in the process, train the workers to efficiently do their jobs, and financially reward them on the basis of performance. Jim is practicing _____. a) contingency thinking b) scientific management c) Theory Y's beliefs

How do geologists determine the relative dates of rock layers?

Which experimental data from the film provide the best evidence that the cactus finch and the medium ground finch on Daphne Major are distinct species? They played the songs of medium ground finches and cactus finches through a loudspeaker at different times, when individuals from both species were present, to see which species responded to ...

What are the characteristics of a scientific theory?

Although there are many characteristics of scientific theories, there are five basic characteristics that can help you understand how they work. A scientific theory should be: 1 Testable: Theories can be supported through a series of scientific research projects or experiments. Sometimes a theory is proven to be wrong through evidence: this is called rejecting a theory. However, a theory can never be proven to be absolutely true because it is an interpretation. There is always the possibility that a different interpretation will someday be found to be more correct. 2 Replicable: In other words, theories must also be able to be repeated by others. This means that enough information and data must be available in the theory so that others can test the theory and get similar results. 3 Stable: Another characteristic of theories is that they must be stable. This means that when others test the theory, they get the same results - so a theory is valid as long as there is no evidence to dispute it. 4 Simple: A theory should be simple. When we say a scientific theory must be simple, we don't mean that the concept must be basic. We mean that only useful, relevant information should be presented in the theory. 5 Consistent: A theory should agree with other theories, meaning that no principles in one theory should contradict another already accepted theory. However, some differences may be evident because the new theory may provide additional evidence.

What is the theory of relativity?

Let's review: in the non-scientific world, a theory is a supposition. However, in the scientific community, a scientific theory is an explanation of a phenomenon that has been tested over time. A theory begins as an educated guess, known formally as a hypothesis.

Why is scientific theory important?

Scientific theories are very important because they are the key to advancing science through the development of new interventions and treatments. Learning Outcomes. Study this lesson on scientific theory, then test your preparedness to: Define scientific theory.

What is scientific fact?

Scientific facts are measured and/or observed. They never change and are unmistakable evidence. Scientific theories are the scientist's interpretation of the facts. Scientists may have differing opinions regarding the best interpretation of the facts. Theories can change and be rejected.

What is the purpose of a theory?

Theories are used to advance scientific knowledge. Without theories, information that is gathered in research studies could not be put to use. New medications and treatments could not be tested, and no cures for diseases would be found. Example of a Theory.

Do green beans taste the same?

After many hundreds of tests, you move to the theory that no matter the brand name, canned green beans taste the same. Your theory is that there is no difference in the taste of canned green beans based on the brand name. You can disprove this theory if you open a can and the green beans do not taste the same.

Can a hypothesis be disproven?

Over time, the hypothesis can be supported and be called a scientific theory, or it can be disproven and rejected. Scientific theories differ from scientific facts because facts never change and cannot be disputed. However, scientific theories can be tested through research and found to be supported or rejected.

What is a theory in science?

More formally, a scientific theory is a system of constructs (concepts) and propositions (relationships between those constructs) that collectively presents a logical, systematic, and coherent explanation of a phenomenon of interest within some assumptions ...

How do researchers build theories?

The first approach is to build theories inductively based on observed patterns of events or behaviors. Such approach is often called “grounded theory building”, because the theory is grounded in empirical observations. This technique is heavily dependent on the observational and interpretive abilities of the researcher, and the resulting theory may be subjective and non -confirmable. Furthermore, observing certain patterns of events will not necessarily make a theory, unless the researcher is able to provide consistent explanations for the observed patterns. We will discuss the grounded theory approach in a later chapter on qualitative research.

What is the IQ score?

For instance, intelligence quotient (IQ score) is a variable that is purported to measure an abstract construct called intelligence. As noted earlier, scientific research proceeds along two planes: a theoretical plane and an empirical plane.

What is nomothetic explanation?

In contrast, nomothetic explanations seek to explain a class of situations or events rather than a specific situation or event.

What is the difference between constructs and variables?

Constructs are conceptualized at the theoretical plane, while variables are operationalized and measured at the empirical (observational) plane. Furthermore, variables may be independent, dependent, mediating, or moderating, as discussed in Chapter 2. The distinction between constructs (conceptualized at the theoretical level) ...

What is logic in theory?

Logic also represents the “explanation” that lies at the core of a theory. Without logic, propositions will be ad hoc, arbitrary, and meaningless, and cannot be tied into a cohesive “system of propositions” that is the heart of any theory.

What is falsifiability in science?

Falsifiability ensures that the theory is potentially disprovable, if empirical data does not match with theoretical propositions, which allows for their empirical testing by researchers. In other words, theories cannot be theories unless they can be empirically testable.

How to determine relative age of rock?

Geologists can determine the relative age of rock beds or layers by looking at the arrangement of the rock beds/layers relative to each other. Relative age is a qualitative age, not a numerical age. For instance, you could say you are younger than your mother and this would be a relative age.

How do geologists determine the age of rocks?

Geologists establish the age of rocks in two ways: numerical dating and relative dating. Numerical dating determines the actual ages of rocks through the study of radioactive decay. Relative dating cannot establish absolute age, but it can establish whether one rock is older or younger than another.

What is the goal of studying the Grand Canyon?

Your goal is to study the smooth, parallel layers of rock to learn how the land built up over geologic time. Now imagine that you come upon a formation like this:

What is the principle of original horizontality?

It's called the Principle of Original Horizontality, and it just means what it sounds like: that all rock layers were originally horizontal.

What is sedimentary rock made of?

Recall that sedimentary rock is composed of... sediments, which are deposited and compacted in one place over time. As you can imagine, regular sediments, like sand, silt, and clay, tend to accumulate over a wide area with a generally consistent thickness.

What is the law of superposition?

Once we assume that all rock layers were originally horizontal, we can make another assumption: that the oldest rock layers are furthest toward the bottom, and the youngest rock layers are closest to the top. This rule is called the Law of Superposition. Again, it's pretty obvious if you think about it. Say you have a layer of mud accumulating at the bottom of a lake. Then the lake dries up, and a forest grows in. More sediment accumulates from the leaf litter and waste of the forest, until you have a second layer. The forest layer is younger than the mud layer, right? And, the mud layer is older than the forest layer. When scientists look at sedimentary rock strata, they essentially see a timeline stretching backwards through history. The highest layers tell them what happened more recently, and the lowest layers tell them what happened longer ago.

What are some examples of unconformity?

One famous example of an unconformity is the Great Unconformity of the Grand Canyon. It clearly shows the interface between two types of rock: the upper Tepetate sandstones and the Precambrian Wapiti shales underneath. The sandstones lie horizontally, just as they did when they were originally laid down.