Question

for what purpose(s) do geologists use relative dating?rodoluca. rock layers at quebrada de las conchos - salta argentina. digital image. wikipedia commons. wikimedia foundation, inc., 30 oct. 2010. web. 15 may 2017.to determine which rock layer in a canyon wall formed first.to sequence past geologic events.to determine how a rocks composition has changed over time.to find the relative age of a rock layer in comparison to another rock layer.

Explanation:

Relative dating is a method used in geology to determine the chronological order of geological events and the relative ages of rock layers. It does not provide the absolute age (in years) but rather the sequence or order.

• Determining which rock layer formed first (using principles like the law of superposition) is a part of relative dating.
• Sequencing past geologic events (such as deposition of layers, folding, faulting) is a key use of relative dating.
• Finding the relative age of a rock layer compared to another (e.g., layer A is older than layer B) is the essence of relative dating.

However, determining how a rock's composition has changed over time is more related to chemical analysis and not the main purpose of relative dating.

Answer:

To determine which rock layer in a canyon wall formed first, To sequence past geologic events, To find the relative age of a rock layer in comparison to another rock layer.