10/16/24, 10:33 Solid Earth Processes Lab Exam Study
AM Guide
Solid Earth Processes
Laboratory Exam Study
Guide
Lab 1: Minerals on Campus
1.) Is color a reliable indicator of mineral identification? Why or why not?
Color is not a reliable indicator as a mineral can have many different colors, for example,
quartz. There are also minerals that share the same colors.
Lab 2: Magma Properties and Composition
1.) Order the continental crust, oceanic crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core from most to
least dense.
Inner core – Outer core – Mantle – Oceanic crust – Continental crust.
2.) Order the continental crust, oceanic crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core from most to
least silica content.
Continental crust – Oceanic crust – Mantle – Outer core- Inner core
3.) What is the primary force that is responsible for the rise of magma through the crust and
what drives that force?
The primary force responsible for this is buoyancy, buoyancy is driven by the density of
the magma, the less dense the more it will rise. There are other factors such as heating,
volatile content and others.
about:bl 1/
,10/16/24, 10:33 Solid Earth Processes Lab Exam Study
AM Guide
4.) Scientists at the Jackson School of Geosciences have conducted repeated laboratory
experiments on the black rock we described in Lab 1 question 8. Using the Vogel-
Fulcher-Tammann equation found below, they have determined the coefficients A= -
4.55, B= 8734.4, and C= 109.3. They believe that the rock formed at a temperature of
800° Celsius.
What was the viscosity of the magma that produced the rock we saw? Show your work and be
sure to include units. (7 pts) Hint: To convert from °C to K, add 273.15.
54.562
5.) Are melts with viscosities greater than 10,000 Pa•s felsic or mafic in composition?
The melts would be felscis
6.) Are melts with viscosities less than 100 Pa•s felsic or mafic in composition?
The melts would be mafic
7.) Does increased temperature increase or decrease the viscosity of magma?
Increased temperature decreases viscosity.
8.) Does the addition of water increase or decrease the viscosity of magma?
Addition of water decreases viscosity.
about:bl 2/
, 10/16/24, 10:33 Solid Earth Processes Lab Exam Study
AM Guide
about:bl 3/
AM Guide
Solid Earth Processes
Laboratory Exam Study
Guide
Lab 1: Minerals on Campus
1.) Is color a reliable indicator of mineral identification? Why or why not?
Color is not a reliable indicator as a mineral can have many different colors, for example,
quartz. There are also minerals that share the same colors.
Lab 2: Magma Properties and Composition
1.) Order the continental crust, oceanic crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core from most to
least dense.
Inner core – Outer core – Mantle – Oceanic crust – Continental crust.
2.) Order the continental crust, oceanic crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core from most to
least silica content.
Continental crust – Oceanic crust – Mantle – Outer core- Inner core
3.) What is the primary force that is responsible for the rise of magma through the crust and
what drives that force?
The primary force responsible for this is buoyancy, buoyancy is driven by the density of
the magma, the less dense the more it will rise. There are other factors such as heating,
volatile content and others.
about:bl 1/
,10/16/24, 10:33 Solid Earth Processes Lab Exam Study
AM Guide
4.) Scientists at the Jackson School of Geosciences have conducted repeated laboratory
experiments on the black rock we described in Lab 1 question 8. Using the Vogel-
Fulcher-Tammann equation found below, they have determined the coefficients A= -
4.55, B= 8734.4, and C= 109.3. They believe that the rock formed at a temperature of
800° Celsius.
What was the viscosity of the magma that produced the rock we saw? Show your work and be
sure to include units. (7 pts) Hint: To convert from °C to K, add 273.15.
54.562
5.) Are melts with viscosities greater than 10,000 Pa•s felsic or mafic in composition?
The melts would be felscis
6.) Are melts with viscosities less than 100 Pa•s felsic or mafic in composition?
The melts would be mafic
7.) Does increased temperature increase or decrease the viscosity of magma?
Increased temperature decreases viscosity.
8.) Does the addition of water increase or decrease the viscosity of magma?
Addition of water decreases viscosity.
about:bl 2/
, 10/16/24, 10:33 Solid Earth Processes Lab Exam Study
AM Guide
about:bl 3/
