Ess 101 B Midterm Exam Questions And Answers |
Latest Update 2026/2027 | Graded A+ | 100%
Assured Pass.
Match the magma type with the appropriate tectonic setting where it likely forms:
Iceland - ANSWER- basalt
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
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
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
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
- 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 mantle made of? - ANSWER- Fe-Mg Silicate\
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.
What's the crust made of? - ANSWER- Fe-Mg-Al Silicate
Differentiated earth order (starting from center) - ANSWER- - Iron-Nickel Core
- Fe-Mg Silicate Mantle
- Fe-Mg-Al Silicate Crust (ocean and continental)
- Oceans
, - Atmosphere
How is the earth compositionally zoned? - ANSWER- Along a density gradient
How did the earth become compositionally zoned? - ANSWER- - accretion of
planetesimals
- initial heating due to kinetic energy of colliding planetesimals and compressional
heating
- Additional heating from radioactive decay
- melting point reached, dense iron sinks to core while lighter minerals are displaced
outwards
- earth becomes compositionally zoned based on density
- convective overturn in asthenosphere, mantle, and outer core continues today
Why did the earth heat up and then rapidly cool during the differentiation process? -
ANSWER- - Conduction: SLOW, rate of heat leaving too slow to cool the rapidly heating
planet, therefore liquification
- Convection: FAST, liquid--> solid, rapid cooling
What's the inner and outer core of the earth made of? - ANSWER- Iron-Nickel Core
Inner core in which phase? - ANSWER- solid
Outer core in which phase? - ANSWER- liquid
What evidence do scientists use to support the inferred compositional zonation? -
ANSWER- - meteorological evidence
- density properties of the earth
- magnetic field evidence
- seismic wave evidence
Describe meteorological evidence supporting differentiated earth - ANSWER- - same
meteors hitting the earth since it has been formed. From observing and tracking the
composition and quantities of material making up meteorites, inferences regarding the
material composition of the planet can be made
Latest Update 2026/2027 | Graded A+ | 100%
Assured Pass.
Match the magma type with the appropriate tectonic setting where it likely forms:
Iceland - ANSWER- basalt
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
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
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
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
- 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 mantle made of? - ANSWER- Fe-Mg Silicate\
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.
What's the crust made of? - ANSWER- Fe-Mg-Al Silicate
Differentiated earth order (starting from center) - ANSWER- - Iron-Nickel Core
- Fe-Mg Silicate Mantle
- Fe-Mg-Al Silicate Crust (ocean and continental)
- Oceans
, - Atmosphere
How is the earth compositionally zoned? - ANSWER- Along a density gradient
How did the earth become compositionally zoned? - ANSWER- - accretion of
planetesimals
- initial heating due to kinetic energy of colliding planetesimals and compressional
heating
- Additional heating from radioactive decay
- melting point reached, dense iron sinks to core while lighter minerals are displaced
outwards
- earth becomes compositionally zoned based on density
- convective overturn in asthenosphere, mantle, and outer core continues today
Why did the earth heat up and then rapidly cool during the differentiation process? -
ANSWER- - Conduction: SLOW, rate of heat leaving too slow to cool the rapidly heating
planet, therefore liquification
- Convection: FAST, liquid--> solid, rapid cooling
What's the inner and outer core of the earth made of? - ANSWER- Iron-Nickel Core
Inner core in which phase? - ANSWER- solid
Outer core in which phase? - ANSWER- liquid
What evidence do scientists use to support the inferred compositional zonation? -
ANSWER- - meteorological evidence
- density properties of the earth
- magnetic field evidence
- seismic wave evidence
Describe meteorological evidence supporting differentiated earth - ANSWER- - same
meteors hitting the earth since it has been formed. From observing and tracking the
composition and quantities of material making up meteorites, inferences regarding the
material composition of the planet can be made
