Geology: Rocks, Minerals, and Rock Cycle Quiz

Igneous Rocks

• Formed from cooling and hardening of magma or lava
• Magma is molten rock found beneath Earth's surface
• Lava is molten rock that has erupted onto Earth's surface

The Rock Cycle

• Describes the continuous process of rocks changing and remaking over time
• Rocks can be transformed from one type to another
• This cycle involves weathering, erosion, deposition, burial, heat, and pressure

Geology

• The study of Earth and how it works
• Geologists study Earth's physical structure, composition, processes, and history

Geologists

• Study rocks, minerals, and the processes that shape Earth
• Examine Earth's surface and interior
• Explore the history of Earth's evolution

Types of Rocks

• There are three main types of rocks: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic
• Igneous rocks are formed from the cooling and hardening of magma or lava
• Sedimentary rocks are formed from the accumulation and cementation of sediments
• Metamorphic rocks are formed when existing rocks are transformed by heat, pressure, or chemical reactions

Mineral Hardness

• The scratch test is used to observe a mineral's hardness
• Hardness refers to a mineral's resistance to being scratched
• A harder mineral will scratch a softer mineral

Main Types of Rocks

• Igneous rocks
• Sedimentary rocks
• Metamorphic rocks

Test your knowledge of geology with this quiz on rocks, minerals, scratch test, types of rocks, and the rock cycle. Explore questions about the purpose of the scratch test in geology, the type of rock formed from the cooling and solidification of magma or lava, and the process describing the continuous changing and remaking of rocks over geological time.