Questions and Answers
What are rocks?
A natural solid made of one or more minerals.
How are rocks classified?
Rocks are classified by how they are formed.
What is the first type of rocks?
Igneous rocks.
How do igneous rocks form?
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Where can igneous rocks form?
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When do large mineral crystals form?
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When do small crystals form?
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What is the second type of rock?
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How is sedimentary rock formed?
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What happens to sediments from weathered rocks?
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What happens when more layers are deposited on many layers?
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What happens over time to sediments at the bottom?
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What type of rock are sandstone, conglomerate, and shale?
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In what type of rocks can fossils be found?
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What happens when minerals dissolve in water?
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What are metamorphic rocks?
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How can metamorphic rocks form?
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What is the rock cycle?
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What does melting and cooling cause?
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What do weathering, erosion, and cementation cause?
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What does heat and pressure cause?
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Study Notes
Rock Classification Overview
- Rocks are natural, solid aggregates consisting of one or more minerals.
- Classification is primarily based on the formation process of the rocks.
Igneous Rocks
- Form when magma or lava cools and hardens.
- Can develop deep within Earth or on its surface.
- Large mineral crystals occur when magma cools slowly underground (examples: gabbro, granite).
- Small crystals form when lava cools rapidly at the Earth’s surface (examples: rhyolite, basalt).
Sedimentary Rocks
- Result from the cementation of sediments under pressure.
- Sediments are formed from weathered rocks that collect in loose layers.
- Over time, more layers stack and compress those below them.
- Bottom sediments eventually become cemented together, forming rock.
- Common types include sandstone, conglomerate, and shale.
- Fossils are commonly found within sedimentary rocks.
Metamorphic Rocks
- Created through changes in texture and mineral content due to Earth processes.
- Form under conditions of high pressure, high temperature, or through hot fluid interactions.
Rock Cycle
- Describes the continuous transformation of rocks from one type to another through various geological processes.
- Melting and cooling processes lead to igneous rocks.
- Weathering, erosion, and cementation are responsible for the formation of sedimentary rocks.
- Heat and pressure contribute to the creation of metamorphic rocks.
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Test your knowledge on how rocks are classified with these flashcards. Learn about the different types of rocks, including igneous rocks, and the processes involved in their formation. Ideal for students studying geology or preparing for exams.