Absolute dating is the actual date of the rock and can also been known as radioactive dating. Relative dating is using the rock layers and fossil records to determine the age of the rock, and it is not the actual age of the rock.

What is the difference between relative and absolute age quizlet?

The difference between absolute and relative age is: absolute is the numeric age and relative age is the age of one rock layer in relation to another rock layer. Methods to calculate absolute age include: rate of sediment deposit and rates of erosion. Rate of erosion. Speed at which a landform/rock erodes.

What is the advantage of relative dating?

Dating rocks using relative dating allows a geologist to reconstruct a series of events cheaply, often very quickly, and can be used out in the field on a rocky outcrop. Relative dating also can be used on many different types of rocks, where absolute dating is restricted to certain minerals or materials.