ESS 101: MIDTERM EXAM QUESTIONS Questions with Correct Solutions
Question:
1. Match the magma type with the appropriate tectonic setting where it likely forms: Iceland
Answer:
basalt
Question:
2. Match the magma type with the appropriate tectonic setting where it likely forms: Sierra
Nevada Batholith
Answer:
granite
Question:
3. Match the magma type with the appropriate tectonic setting where it likely forms:
Phillipine Islands
Answer:
andesite
Question:
4. The Columbia Plateau is composed of rock rich in
Answer:
basalt
Question:
5. The melting temperature of granitic magma (wet melt)
Answer:
increases as pressure is reduced (as it rises)
Question:
6. 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
Question:
7. 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
Question:
8. 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
Question:
9. 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
Question:
10. Characteristics of Terrestrial Planets
Answer:
- Close to the sun, dense
- Small, rocky (silicate minerals, metallic cores)
Question:
11. Characteristics of Jovian Planets
Answer:
- Far from the sun, low density
- Large, gaseous (hydrogen, methane)
Question:
12. 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
Question:
13. What's the inner and outer core of the earth made of?
Answer:
Iron-Nickel Core
Question:
14. Inner core in which phase?
Answer:
solid
Question:
15. Outer core in which phase?
Answer:
liquid
Question:
16. What's the mantle made of?
Answer:
Fe-Mg Silicate
Question:
17. What's the crust made of?
Answer:
Fe-Mg-Al Silicate
Question:
18. Differentiated earth order (starting from center)
Question:
1. Match the magma type with the appropriate tectonic setting where it likely forms: Iceland
Answer:
basalt
Question:
2. Match the magma type with the appropriate tectonic setting where it likely forms: Sierra
Nevada Batholith
Answer:
granite
Question:
3. Match the magma type with the appropriate tectonic setting where it likely forms:
Phillipine Islands
Answer:
andesite
Question:
4. The Columbia Plateau is composed of rock rich in
Answer:
basalt
Question:
5. The melting temperature of granitic magma (wet melt)
Answer:
increases as pressure is reduced (as it rises)
Question:
6. 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
Question:
7. 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
Question:
8. 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
Question:
9. 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
Question:
10. Characteristics of Terrestrial Planets
Answer:
- Close to the sun, dense
- Small, rocky (silicate minerals, metallic cores)
Question:
11. Characteristics of Jovian Planets
Answer:
- Far from the sun, low density
- Large, gaseous (hydrogen, methane)
Question:
12. 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
Question:
13. What's the inner and outer core of the earth made of?
Answer:
Iron-Nickel Core
Question:
14. Inner core in which phase?
Answer:
solid
Question:
15. Outer core in which phase?
Answer:
liquid
Question:
16. What's the mantle made of?
Answer:
Fe-Mg Silicate
Question:
17. What's the crust made of?
Answer:
Fe-Mg-Al Silicate
Question:
18. Differentiated earth order (starting from center)
