SOE Midterm Exam Questions with Correct Answers Latest Update 2025/2026
When did the universe begin? - Answers 13.8 billion years ago
When did the earth begin? - Answers 4.6 billion years ago
What are the compositional layers? - Answers Continental crust, oceanic crust, mantle, and core
What are the mechanical layers? - Answers Lithosphere, asthenosphere, mesosphere, outer core,
and inner core
Felsic rock - Answers Also known as granitic/silicic / granite is one of the main rock types /
lighter in color / continental crust is mostly made of this material / low melting temperature
Mafic rock - Answers Also known as basaltic / basalt is one of the mai rock types / darker in
color / oceanic crust is mostly made of this material / high melting temperature
Isostasy - Answers The thickest block floats highest and sinks deepest / earths lithosphere
"floats" o the asthenosphere / gravitational and buoyant forces balance
Divergent plate boundary - Answers Plates move away from each other
Convergent plate boundaries - Answers Plates move toward each other
Transform plate boundary - Answers Plates move sideways past each other
Subduction three main features - Answers Trench, wedge, arc
Hot spot volcanoes - Answers Volcano forms on a moving plate above a mantle plume, first
volcano moves off the plume and dies, plate movement carries each successive volcano off the
hot spot / relatively stationary, plate moves over it
What is the difference between minerals and rocks? - Answers A mineral is formed from an
element, rock is formed from minerals, earth is made up from rocks
Mineral - Answers Naturally formed / solid / formed by inorganic processes / has a specific
chemical composition / characteristic crystal structure
Definition of a mineral - Answers Focuses on having a "crystal structure" and having a "specific
chemical composition"
Polymorph - Answers Minerals with the same composition, but different structures because
they formed under different conditions of heat and pressure
Igneous rocks - Answers Formed from the cooling and crystallization of lava or magma
( Intrusive or extrusive / magic or felsic)
Definition of a mineral - Answers Focuses on having a "crystal structure" and having a "specific
When did the universe begin? - Answers 13.8 billion years ago
When did the earth begin? - Answers 4.6 billion years ago
What are the compositional layers? - Answers Continental crust, oceanic crust, mantle, and core
What are the mechanical layers? - Answers Lithosphere, asthenosphere, mesosphere, outer core,
and inner core
Felsic rock - Answers Also known as granitic/silicic / granite is one of the main rock types /
lighter in color / continental crust is mostly made of this material / low melting temperature
Mafic rock - Answers Also known as basaltic / basalt is one of the mai rock types / darker in
color / oceanic crust is mostly made of this material / high melting temperature
Isostasy - Answers The thickest block floats highest and sinks deepest / earths lithosphere
"floats" o the asthenosphere / gravitational and buoyant forces balance
Divergent plate boundary - Answers Plates move away from each other
Convergent plate boundaries - Answers Plates move toward each other
Transform plate boundary - Answers Plates move sideways past each other
Subduction three main features - Answers Trench, wedge, arc
Hot spot volcanoes - Answers Volcano forms on a moving plate above a mantle plume, first
volcano moves off the plume and dies, plate movement carries each successive volcano off the
hot spot / relatively stationary, plate moves over it
What is the difference between minerals and rocks? - Answers A mineral is formed from an
element, rock is formed from minerals, earth is made up from rocks
Mineral - Answers Naturally formed / solid / formed by inorganic processes / has a specific
chemical composition / characteristic crystal structure
Definition of a mineral - Answers Focuses on having a "crystal structure" and having a "specific
chemical composition"
Polymorph - Answers Minerals with the same composition, but different structures because
they formed under different conditions of heat and pressure
Igneous rocks - Answers Formed from the cooling and crystallization of lava or magma
( Intrusive or extrusive / magic or felsic)
Definition of a mineral - Answers Focuses on having a "crystal structure" and having a "specific
