TAMU GEOL 101 Exam 1 questions with correct answers

Earth History CORRECT ANSWER - The study of change over very long spans of time: millions and billions of years. - 4.56B years old Accretion of the Earth CORRECT ANSWER - Earth formed by accretion of rocky nodules (chondrules) - Nodules and chemical compounds form by condensation in galactic nebula and solar nebula - Inner parts of solar nebula is rich metals, especially Fe metals are much more abundant then elsewhere in the galaxy Earth and Moon CORRECT ANSWER - Oldest Earth rock: 4.4B years - Oldest Moon rock: 4.51B years Hadean Earth CORRECT ANSWER Heat of accretion and impact by meteoroids melts planet Formation of Core CORRECT ANSWER - Core of Earth form within 30 years of Earth origin - Accretion of Earth releases enough heat to melt planet. Smelting of iron from rocky solids released liquid/iron. - Moved most metals from mantle to center of Earth. Composed of Fe with 5-10% Ni and 2-5% C, S, O and Si. - Settling of iron to center of Earth releases a tremendous amount of heat energy, accelerating process of melting. Zonal Structure of Earth CORRECT AN