ESS 101: Midterm Exam Questions Questions with
100% Correct Answers | Verified | Updated
(Actual Exam) 2026 2027 Graded A+
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.
100% Correct Answers | Verified | Updated
(Actual Exam) 2026 2027 Graded A+
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.
