Here's why:
* Absolute age refers to the actual numerical age of a rock or fossil. This is determined using methods like radiometric dating, which measures the decay of radioactive isotopes within the rock.
* Relative age is determined by the position of rocks in a sequence. This is based on the principles of stratigraphy, which states that older rocks are generally found below younger rocks.
Therefore, while absolute age and relative age are both important in understanding geological history, they focus on different aspects of a rock's story:
* Absolute age: Tells you *how old* the rock is.
* Relative age: Tells you *how old the rock is compared to other rocks* in a sequence.
