More about fossil formation | Science | Quizalize & Oak National Academy

Starter quiz

______ tell us about living things that have lived over 10,000 years ago.

'Fossils ' ✓
Which of these things may form a fossil?

a rock

a plant ✓

a human ✓

a brick

an animal ✓
Does every living thing that dies become a fossil over time?

Yes, all living things eventually become fossils when they die.

No, very few living things eventually become fossils when they die. ✓

No, no living things become fossils when they die.
Which of these things would rarely form a fossil because their bodies are too soft and they would decay too quickly?

bird

worm ✓

lizard

jelly fish ✓
Which of these things may form an imprint fossil?

shells ✓

wheels

bones ✓

leaves ✓

feathers ✓
Scientists can use models to show how imprint fossils are formed. Put these steps in the right order to create your own imprint fossil model.

1

⇔

Roll out a piece of clay to make a disc, around 2 cm thick.

2

⇔

Press a leaf firmly into the clay to leave a soft imprint of its shape.

3

⇔

Leave the clay to harden over time.

Exit quiz

Palaeontology is the study of ______.

'fossils' ✓
Look at the amber fossil in the image. What natural material is this fossil made from?

hardened sediment

hard rock

hardened tree resin ✓
What is the name for the type of scientist that studies fossils?

biologist

physicist

chemist

palaeontologist ✓
Some fossils are formed when ______ and minerals fill the hard parts of living things that have died.

rock

water

sediment ✓

tree resin
Which reasons explain why a model could be used in a lesson to learn about fossil formation?

Using models is a different way to record what you have done.

Using models is fun and means you don't have to write anything.

Using models shows you how fossils are formed. ✓

Using models helps you understand things you can't experience yourself. ✓
Put the sentences in order to show how a fossil may be formed.

1

⇔

A living thing dies and sinks to the seabed.

2

⇔

Its flesh is eaten by other sea creatures and decays.

3

⇔

Its skeleton is covered by layers of sediment over thousands of years.

4

⇔

The minerals dissolve the bones and under pressure they turn into rock.

5

⇔

Thousands of years later, a fossil hunter discovers the fossil in a rock.

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Lesson Details

Key learning points

Palaeontology is the study of fossils.
Some fossils are formed when tree resin hardens into amber, with living things trapped inside.
Models can be used to show how fossils are formed in different ways.
Some fossils are formed when sediment and minerals fill the hard parts of living things that have died.

Common misconception

Pupils may believe that old discovered objects, like bits of pottery, coins and jewellery are fossils. They also may believe that the fossil is always the actual plant or animal itself.

Being clear that only things that have been alive may become fossils, and not all living things are fossilised.

Keywords

Palaeontology - Palaeontology is the study of fossils and how life on Earth has changed over millions of years.
Fossil - A fossil is the remains or imprint of living things that are sometimes preserved in rock.
Resin - Resin is a sticky substance which is produced by some trees.
Minerals - Minerals occur naturally and can be dug out of the ground.
Sediment - Sediment is solid material that is moved and deposited in a new location.