ESS 101 LABORATORY 2 PLATE TECTONICS
AND THE ROCK CYCLE FULL SOLUTION 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ Definition of "Geo" and "ology" and using this define geology and
what we will learn this quarter Answer: Geo - Earth
Ology - Study of
We will be studying the Earth
◉ How long has Terry been teaching? Answer: 25 years at UW
◉ Nebular Hypothesis Answer: a. Supernova and formation of
primordial dust cloud. There was a predisposed rotation which is
the same direction we orbit (Moons do the same thing)
b. Condensation or primordial dust. Forms disk-shaped nubular
cloud rotating counter-clockwise. 99% used and only 1% was used
for planets. All our elements in the system existed.
c. Proto sun and planets begin to form. The sun is and was made of
75% hydrogen and 25% Helium. Particles attract matter and gravity
which forms planets though condensation.
d. Accretion of planetesimals and differentiation of planets and
moons (4.6 billion year ago). This is partly because of gravity and
partly centrifugal force.
,e. Existing solar system takes shape
◉ Evidence of nebular hypothesis Answer: -planets and moons
revolve in counter clockwise direction
-almost all planets rotate on their axis in a counter clockwise
direction
-planetary orbits are aligned along the suns equatorial plane
-observations from the hubble telescope suggest that other
planetary systems are forming in the same way
◉ Why does venus rotate so slowly? Answer: It rotates slowly
clockwise because venus has such a dense CO2 atmosphere it places
a drag
◉ Can you explain why the earth and terrestrial planets have so little
molecular hydrogen comprising their respective atmospheres; yet
the primordial dust cloud was mostly comprised of hydrogen gas?
Answer: The terrestrial planets are closer to the sun which means
that the heat is much hotter. This means that hydrogen cannot stay
in a liquid or solid form as easily as the Jovian planets. It turns into
gas and is less dense which is enough to resist gravity.
◉ Terrestrial Planets Answer: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars. Close to
the sun, dense. Small rocky (silicate minerals and metallic cores)
, ◉ Silicate Answer: silicon and oxygen and it is the framework of
rock
◉ Jovian Planets Answer: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune. Jov-
derived from Jupiter. They are far from the sun, low density. Large,
gaseous (hydrogen, methane)
◉ Differentiated Earth Answer: 1. Iron-Nickel Core
(outer core liquid)
(inner core solid)
2. Fe-Mg Silicate Mantle
3. Fe-Mg-Al Silicate Crust
(ocean and continental)
4. Oceans
5. Atmosphere
◉ How is the earth compositionally zoned? Answer: Along a density
gradient. It is based on density. Think about Vinegar and oil and how
it separates based on its density gradient.
◉ How did the earth become compositionally zoned? Answer: 1.
Accretion of planetesimals.
2. Initial heating due kinetic energy of colliding planetesimals and
compressional heating
AND THE ROCK CYCLE FULL SOLUTION 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ Definition of "Geo" and "ology" and using this define geology and
what we will learn this quarter Answer: Geo - Earth
Ology - Study of
We will be studying the Earth
◉ How long has Terry been teaching? Answer: 25 years at UW
◉ Nebular Hypothesis Answer: a. Supernova and formation of
primordial dust cloud. There was a predisposed rotation which is
the same direction we orbit (Moons do the same thing)
b. Condensation or primordial dust. Forms disk-shaped nubular
cloud rotating counter-clockwise. 99% used and only 1% was used
for planets. All our elements in the system existed.
c. Proto sun and planets begin to form. The sun is and was made of
75% hydrogen and 25% Helium. Particles attract matter and gravity
which forms planets though condensation.
d. Accretion of planetesimals and differentiation of planets and
moons (4.6 billion year ago). This is partly because of gravity and
partly centrifugal force.
,e. Existing solar system takes shape
◉ Evidence of nebular hypothesis Answer: -planets and moons
revolve in counter clockwise direction
-almost all planets rotate on their axis in a counter clockwise
direction
-planetary orbits are aligned along the suns equatorial plane
-observations from the hubble telescope suggest that other
planetary systems are forming in the same way
◉ Why does venus rotate so slowly? Answer: It rotates slowly
clockwise because venus has such a dense CO2 atmosphere it places
a drag
◉ Can you explain why the earth and terrestrial planets have so little
molecular hydrogen comprising their respective atmospheres; yet
the primordial dust cloud was mostly comprised of hydrogen gas?
Answer: The terrestrial planets are closer to the sun which means
that the heat is much hotter. This means that hydrogen cannot stay
in a liquid or solid form as easily as the Jovian planets. It turns into
gas and is less dense which is enough to resist gravity.
◉ Terrestrial Planets Answer: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars. Close to
the sun, dense. Small rocky (silicate minerals and metallic cores)
, ◉ Silicate Answer: silicon and oxygen and it is the framework of
rock
◉ Jovian Planets Answer: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune. Jov-
derived from Jupiter. They are far from the sun, low density. Large,
gaseous (hydrogen, methane)
◉ Differentiated Earth Answer: 1. Iron-Nickel Core
(outer core liquid)
(inner core solid)
2. Fe-Mg Silicate Mantle
3. Fe-Mg-Al Silicate Crust
(ocean and continental)
4. Oceans
5. Atmosphere
◉ How is the earth compositionally zoned? Answer: Along a density
gradient. It is based on density. Think about Vinegar and oil and how
it separates based on its density gradient.
◉ How did the earth become compositionally zoned? Answer: 1.
Accretion of planetesimals.
2. Initial heating due kinetic energy of colliding planetesimals and
compressional heating
