Questions and Answers
What are igneous rocks?
What is a metamorphic rock?
Rocks that have changed as a result of heat and pressure
What are sedimentary rocks?
Rocks that form when layers of sediment settle on top of one another and harden.
Earth's crust is made of ________ example of ________ and ________
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Rocks can be classified by how they are ________
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List the three main types of rocks.
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What is magma?
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Rocks formed from molten rock are called _____ rocks.
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The term 'igneous' comes from the Latin word meaning _____.
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When magma reaches Earth's surface as _____, it cools quickly and hardens into solid igneous rock in just a few _____ to _____.
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Pumice is formed by air quickly cooling lava, which traps gas bubbles in this type of rock.
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What happens when magma cools slowly?
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Why would you need a microscope to see an igneous rock's crystals?
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_____ rock forms when layers of sediment settle on top of one another and harden.
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What makes up sediment?
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How are sedimentary rocks classified?
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Examples of sedimentary rocks include:
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Metamorphic rocks can change form completely due to ____ and ____.
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What may heat and pressure cause to change?
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Chemical changes in the rock may form ________ types of minerals.
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Graphite is made entirely of _____.
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What can graphite be turned into?
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What is a much harder mineral on the Mohs scale?
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Some minerals have ________, meaning they may break along a smooth flat surface.
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Hardness is how easily a mineral can be _____.
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Each mineral has crystals that are a particular shape called _____.
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What is the term for the color left by a mineral scratched on a special plate?
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What is luster in terms of minerals?
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The same mineral can be different in terms of _____?
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What are minerals?
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Study Notes
Classification of Rocks
- Igneous Rocks: Formed from melted rock; can be classified as either intrusive or extrusive based on cooling location and speed.
- Metamorphic Rocks: Created under heat and pressure, resulting in physical and chemical changes in existing rocks.
- Sedimentary Rocks: Developed through layers of sediment compacting and cementing over time.
Types of Rocks
- Three Main Kinds: Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic represent the primary classifications of rocks.
- Examples of Igneous Rocks: Include granite, obsidian, gabbro, and pegmatite, with characteristic properties based on cooling processes.
- Examples of Sedimentary Rocks: Comprise limestone, sandstone, shale, and mudstone.
Formation Processes
- Magma: Refers to molten rock found beneath the Earth's surface; when it surfaces as lava, it cools quickly.
- Cooling of Lava: Rapid cooling leads to smaller crystals; slower cooling allows larger crystals to form.
- Sediment Composition: Includes rocks, soil, shells, and organic matter, which accumulate and result in sediment formation.
Metamorphism
- Metamorphic Processes: Involves the transformation of existing rocks due to heat, pressure, and chemical changes.
- Crystal Changes: Heat and pressure can alter mineral crystals, forming new mineral types.
Mineral Characteristics
- Cleavage: Some minerals may split along smooth surfaces; not all possess this property.
- Hardness: Describes how easily a mineral can be scratched; measured using the Mohs scale.
- Crystal Shape: Each mineral features a unique crystal structure.
- Streak: The color left behind when a mineral is scratched on a plate.
- Luster: Refers to the way a mineral's surface reflects light, affecting its appearance.
Unique Properties
- Graphite: Composed entirely of carbon; subjected to heat and pressure can transform into diamond, a much harder mineral.
- Color Variability: The same mineral may appear in different colors due to impurities or other factors, affecting identification.
Summary of Rock Lifecycle
- Weathering and Erosion: Processes that move sediment locations, with deposition occurring layer by layer over time, held together by weight and chemical processes.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the three main types of rocks: igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary. Explore their formation processes and characteristics along with examples of each type. This quiz will help reinforce your understanding of geology basics.