Lithosphere: Rocks Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What does the lithosphere deal with?

  • Earthquakes, volcanoes, and plate tectonics
  • Atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere
  • Soil, rocks, and minerals (correct)
  • Earth's crust, mantle, and core

What are the three main types of rocks classified according to their origin?

  • Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic (correct)
  • Intrusive, extrusive, and porphyric
  • Crystalline, amorphous, and clastic
  • Plutonic, volcanic, and porphyric

What is the defining characteristic of igneous rocks?

  • They are formed by the transformation of existing rocks due to changes in temperature, pressure, or chemical composition
  • They are formed from the cooling and solidification of magma or partially melted rock (correct)
  • They are formed by the layering and subsequent compression of organic material
  • They are formed from the weathering and erosion of pre-existing rocks

What is the defining characteristic of intrusive igneous rocks?

<p>They have large, easily visible crystals due to slow cooling within the Earth's crust (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the defining characteristic of extrusive igneous rocks?

<p>They have microscopic crystals due to rapid cooling when lava contacts air or water (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the defining characteristic of sedimentary rocks?

<p>They are formed by the layering and subsequent compression of organic material (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic that distinguishes metamorphic rocks from igneous and sedimentary rocks?

<p>They are formed from the pressure and heat of the Earth's mantle. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What property of minerals is measured on the Mohs Hardness scale?

<p>Resistance to abrasion (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'streak' of a mineral refer to?

<p>The color of the mineral's powder when rubbed on an unglazed porcelain plate. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a method used to classify minerals?

<p>Atomic structure (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the key difference between minerals and rocks?

<p>Minerals are composed of a single chemical element, while rocks are composed of multiple minerals. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the defining characteristic of the mineral $\text{garnet}$?

<p>It has large, well-defined crystals. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Lithosphere

  • The lithosphere comprises the Earth's outermost shell, including the crust and the upper mantle, involved in tectonic activities and geological processes.

Types of Rocks

  • Three primary rock types based on origin:
    • Igneous rocks
    • Sedimentary rocks
    • Metamorphic rocks

Igneous Rocks

  • Characterized by the solidification of molten rock, either magma underground or lava on the surface.

Intrusive Igneous Rocks

  • Formed from magma that cools slowly beneath the Earth's surface, resulting in larger, visible crystals.

Extrusive Igneous Rocks

  • Created from lava that cools quickly on the Earth's surface, leading to fine-grained textures and small or no visible crystals.

Sedimentary Rocks

  • Formed through the accumulation and compaction of sediments, often containing fossils and layers indicating environmental history.

Metamorphic Rocks

  • Distinguished from igneous and sedimentary rocks by undergoing transformation through heat and pressure, resulting in altered mineralogy and texture.

Mohs Hardness Scale

  • Measures the hardness of minerals on a scale of 1 to 10, reflecting their resistance to scratching, with talc at 1 (softest) and diamond at 10 (hardest).

Streak of a Mineral

  • Refers to the color of the powder produced when a mineral is dragged across a porcelain plate, providing insight into its identity.

Mineral Classification Methods

  • Common methods include crystal structure, chemical composition, and physical properties such as luster, hardness, and color, while methods like "color alone" may NOT be reliable for classification.

Minerals vs. Rocks

  • Minerals are naturally occurring, inorganic solids with a definite chemical composition and crystal structure, while rocks are composed of one or more minerals or mineraloids.

Garnet

  • Defined by its characteristic isometric crystal structure, often occurring in various colors and commonly used as a gemstone and abrasive.

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