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 can we determine the age of fossils quizlet?

The weight of upper layers of sediment compresses lower layers into rock and turns the dead organisms into fossils .Determines the age of a fossil by comparing its placement with that of fossils in other layers of rock.Uses index fossils.Provides no information about absolute age.

What are two techniques paleontologists use to determine the age of fossils?

Paleontologists determine the age of fossils using two techniques: relative dating and radioactive dating. that rock layers containing certain fossils consistently appeared in the same vertical order no matter where they were found.