Geology Quiz on Bowen's Reaction Series

During a geology field trip, Aria and Benjamin observed that the rocks in a continental volcanic mountain range looked very uniform. What is the main reason for this?

• They are sedimentary rocks

• They are metamorphic rocks

• They cooled from a felsic magma

• They were formed by erosion

Answer explanation

The main reason the rocks in continental volcanic mountains look so uniform is that they cooled from a felsic magma.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

During a classroom experiment, Lury and Rohan were analyzing the composition of the Earth's crust and magma. Which element did they find to be present in the smallest quantity according to the graph?

• Sodium

• Potassium

• Magnesium

• Iron

Answer explanation

Magnesium is present in the smallest quantity in the Earth's crust and magma according to the table provided.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

What percentage of the Earth's crust and magma is made up of Aluminum?

Answer explanation

Aluminum makes up approximately 8.1% of the Earth's crust and magma.

What is the symbol for Iron?

Answer explanation

The symbol for Iron is Fe.

During a geology field trip, Daniel and Finn are discussing which factor increases the likelihood of rock melting as it rises. Study the diagram on the left and select the factor shown in the diagram which melts rock as it rises.

• Decreased temperature

• Increased temperature

• Decreased pressure

• Increased water content

Answer explanation

Earth’s mantle is almost entirely solid rock, in spite of temperatures that would cause rock at Earth’s surface to melt. Mantle rock remains solid at those temperatures because the rock is under high pressure. This means that melting can be triggered without adding heat if the rock is already hot enough, and the pressure is reduced (Figure at left, white dashed boxes). Melting triggered by a reduction in pressure is called decompression melting.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-3

During a geology class, Abigail and Mia were discussing the effect of increased pressure on the melting point of rocks. What did they conclude?

• It lowers the melting point

• It raises the melting point

• It has no effect

• It decreases the water content

Answer explanation

Increased pressure raises the melting point of rocks by compressing the minerals together, making it harder for them to break apart and melt. Earth’s mantle is almost entirely solid rock, in spite of temperatures that would cause rock at Earth’s surface to melt. Mantle rock remains solid at those temperatures because the rock is under high pressure.

During a geology class, Maya asked, 'What factors affect the melting point of rocks?'

• Temperature, pressure, water, and rock composition

• Only temperature

• Only pressure

• Only water content

Answer explanation

The melting point of rocks is affected by temperature, pressure, water, and rock composition, making the correct answer choice: Temperature, pressure, water, and rock composition.

During a geology class, David and Jessica conducted an experiment to observe what happens to the melting point of rock as the amount of water increases. Using the diagram on the right What did they find?

• It increases

• It decreases

• It remains the same

• It fluctuates

Answer explanation

As the amount of water increases, the melting point of rock decreases due to the presence of water molecules weakening the bonds between rock particles. In the diagram on the right the rock (represented by the dashed box) is not hot enough to be right of the line where dry mantle rocks melt, but it is to the right of the line where wet mantle rocks melt.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

What is the percentage of Magnesium in Earth's crust according to the graph?

Answer explanation

The percentage of Magnesium in Earth's crust is 2.1% according to the table provided.

During a geology class, Jackson asked, 'What is the highest temperature at which minerals first crystallize according to Bowen's Reaction Series?'

Answer explanation

According to Bowen's Reaction Series, the highest temperature at which minerals first crystallize is 1400°C.