ESS 101: Midterm Exam Questions with Actual
Complete Questions and Correct Verified Answer
with Detailed Rationale Already Graded A+ |
2026/2027 Updated
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
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
,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
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
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.
- 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 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's the mantle made of? - ANSWER✔✨-Fe-Mg Silicate
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
Complete Questions and Correct Verified Answer
with Detailed Rationale Already Graded A+ |
2026/2027 Updated
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
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
,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
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
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.
- 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 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's the mantle made of? - ANSWER✔✨-Fe-Mg Silicate
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
