ESS 101 COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW 2026
VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
◉Match the magma type with the appropriate tectonic setting
where it likely forms: Sierra Nevada Batholith. Answer: granite
◉Match the magma type with the appropriate tectonic setting
where it likely forms: Phillipine Islands. Answer: andesite
◉The Columbia Plateau is composed of rock rich in. Answer: basalt
◉The melting temperature of granitic magma (wet melt). Answer:
increases as pressure is reduced (as it rises)
◉A partial melt of the asthenosphere will not rise toward the
surface because. Answer: the above question is incorrect because an
asthenospheric melt will rise towards the surface
◉How do we know that Earth was created from the debris of a
previous star system?. Answer: Dense elements exist that could only
have been formed through a Supernova event
,◉Steps of the Nebular Hypothesis. Answer: - Supernova and
formation of primordial dust cloud
- condensation of primordial dust. Forms disk-shaped nebular cloud
rotating counter-clockwise
- Proto sun and planets begin to form
- Accretion of planetesimals and differentiation of planets and
moons
- Existing solar system takes shape
◉Evidence to support the nebular hypothesis. Answer: - planets and
moons revolve in a counter-clockwise direction (v. random)
- Planetary orbits are aligned along the sun's equatorial plane (v.
random)
- Observations from Hubble and radio astronomy
◉Characteristics of Terrestrial Planets. Answer: - Close to the sun,
dense
, - Small, rocky (silicate minerals, metallic cores)
◉Characteristics of Jovian Planets. Answer: - Far from the sun, low
density
- Large, gaseous (hydrogen, methane)
◉Can you explain why the earth and terrestrial planets have so little
molecular hydrogen comprising their respective atmospheres; yet
the primarodial dust cloud was mostly comprised of hydrogen gas?.
Answer: - Key word: heat.
- Jovian planets are located far enough away from the sun that
molecular hydrogen is cool and dense enough to remain in their
atmosphere
- Terrestrial planets are close enough to the sun that molecular
hydrogen would be too heated, not dense enough to remain in the
atmosphere
◉What's the inner and outer core of the earth made of?. Answer:
Iron-Nickel Core
VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
◉Match the magma type with the appropriate tectonic setting
where it likely forms: Sierra Nevada Batholith. Answer: granite
◉Match the magma type with the appropriate tectonic setting
where it likely forms: Phillipine Islands. Answer: andesite
◉The Columbia Plateau is composed of rock rich in. Answer: basalt
◉The melting temperature of granitic magma (wet melt). Answer:
increases as pressure is reduced (as it rises)
◉A partial melt of the asthenosphere will not rise toward the
surface because. Answer: the above question is incorrect because an
asthenospheric melt will rise towards the surface
◉How do we know that Earth was created from the debris of a
previous star system?. Answer: Dense elements exist that could only
have been formed through a Supernova event
,◉Steps of the Nebular Hypothesis. Answer: - Supernova and
formation of primordial dust cloud
- condensation of primordial dust. Forms disk-shaped nebular cloud
rotating counter-clockwise
- Proto sun and planets begin to form
- Accretion of planetesimals and differentiation of planets and
moons
- Existing solar system takes shape
◉Evidence to support the nebular hypothesis. Answer: - planets and
moons revolve in a counter-clockwise direction (v. random)
- Planetary orbits are aligned along the sun's equatorial plane (v.
random)
- Observations from Hubble and radio astronomy
◉Characteristics of Terrestrial Planets. Answer: - Close to the sun,
dense
, - Small, rocky (silicate minerals, metallic cores)
◉Characteristics of Jovian Planets. Answer: - Far from the sun, low
density
- Large, gaseous (hydrogen, methane)
◉Can you explain why the earth and terrestrial planets have so little
molecular hydrogen comprising their respective atmospheres; yet
the primarodial dust cloud was mostly comprised of hydrogen gas?.
Answer: - Key word: heat.
- Jovian planets are located far enough away from the sun that
molecular hydrogen is cool and dense enough to remain in their
atmosphere
- Terrestrial planets are close enough to the sun that molecular
hydrogen would be too heated, not dense enough to remain in the
atmosphere
◉What's the inner and outer core of the earth made of?. Answer:
Iron-Nickel Core
