Questions and Answers
What type of minerals does 'felsic' refer to?
What type of minerals does 'mafic' refer to?
What is the density of felsic minerals?
Less dense
What is the density of mafic minerals?
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What is the melting point of felsic minerals?
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What is the melting point of mafic minerals?
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How much silica do felsic minerals contain?
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How much silica do mafic minerals contain?
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What is the resistance of felsic minerals?
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What is the resistance of mafic minerals?
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What type of crust is felsic associated with?
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What type of crust is mafic associated with?
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What is the viscosity of felsic magma?
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What is the viscosity of mafic magma?
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Study Notes
Felsic Minerals
- Composed of lighter-colored minerals.
- Characterized by lower density compared to mafic minerals.
- Contains higher silica content, resulting in more resistant rock formations.
- Commonly found in continental crust.
Mafic Minerals
- Comprised of darker-colored minerals.
- Exhibits higher density than felsic minerals.
- Contains less silica, leading to a lower resistance in rock formations.
- Predominantly found in oceanic crust.
Melting Characteristics
- Felsic rocks melt at lower temperatures, facilitating their formation in cooler conditions.
- Mafic rocks require higher temperatures to melt, typically associated with hotter environments.
Viscosity Differences
- Felsic materials are more viscous due to their higher silica content, affecting magma flow.
- Mafic materials are less viscous, allowing for easier movement of magma during volcanic activity.
Summary of Properties
- Felsic: lighter, less dense, lower melting point, higher silica, more resistant, continental crust, more viscous.
- Mafic: darker, more dense, higher melting point, less silica, less resistant, oceanic crust, less viscous.
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Description
Explore the essential differences between felsic and mafic minerals regarding their composition, density, melting characteristics, and viscosity. This quiz helps clarify the properties that define these two types of minerals and their roles in geological formations. Perfect for geology students seeking to deepen their understanding of mineral classification.
