2007-03-17 11:45:13 · 4 answers · asked by Gregory B 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Radiometric determines how old something is. It is the most accurate way of dating.
Relative dating is often used with fossils, bylooking at something's position deep in the earth in realtion to other things. You can tell if it was before or after the other fossils.
2007-03-18 02:50:24 · answer #1 · answered by blueberrywarfare 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Radiometric uses traces of radioactive materials to determine how many years old something is. You get a concrete number for the age.
Relative dating places something into historical context. Often used with fossils, you look at something's position in the Earth's crust (or other indicators) and determine when it existed in relation to other things (before, during, or after).
If this does not make sense e-mail me and I will try to clarify.
2007-03-17 11:57:43 · answer #2 · answered by Emily C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Relative dating simply indicates that, for example, a fossil found in deeper strata is older than a fossil found in newer strata. It doesn't really give much of a determination of the actual age of the fossil; only that it is older or younger than another one.
Radiometric dating is the use of radioactive isotopes of different elements to determine the age of a rock or a bone. Only certain isotopes can be used, depending on the age of the artifact or rock, and the nature of its preservation or formation.
2007-03-17 14:42:13 · answer #3 · answered by elchistoso69 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
radiometric is much more accurate
2007-03-17 14:54:31 · answer #4 · answered by wesnaw1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋