Contrast the usefulness of absolute and relative dating techniques

relative dating involves things like higher layers are most recent than rocks lower in the sequence. this can be extended to the known sequence of fossils. rocks containing rabbit fossils are later than those containing dinosaur fossils.  

absolute dating methods mainly use radioactive elements that have known rates of decay and produce recognizable products. for example potassium 40 decays to produce argon. once a rock has solidified the argon is trapped. by measuring the argon and potassium0 you can get an accurate number for the age.  

some other methods are good for archaeological ages. dendrochronology involves recognizing the sequence of tree rings. the orientation of magnetized particles in baked clay can be used to date a fire.

hope this .. .

succession returns a disturbed

ecosystem to a more stable state. this is also classified into two (2) types:

primary succession and secondary succession. the primary succession arises when

a new land is transformed and a bare rock has been exposed providing an environment

that can be occupied for the first time. while, secondary succession occurs

when a previously occupied environment was disturbed that kills much of all its

community

explanation:

cells spend most of their time in interphase