Question

Explain how a paleontologist might use absolute dating techniques to determine the age of a fossil.

Answer 1

A paleontologist can use radiometric dating (also known as carbon dating), to determine the age of a fossil. They do this by measuring the decay of isotopes in either the fossil itself or the rocks associated with it. A carbon-14 isotope takes about 5,730 years to halfway decay, knowing this information paleontologists can date a fossil by how long the fossil has been decaying with the use of special tools.
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Nuclear/cardat.html

Answer 2

Answer:

Paleontologists use the technique called "relative dating" which is when scientist compare rocks to determine the age. So if you have a rock which has a similar surface to another rock you could determine the age of that rock. You could also use the technique called the "radiometric dating" by measuring the amount of isotopes in the rock.