Metamorphic Rocks and the Rock Cycle

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Questions and Answers

Which characteristic is essential for a rock to become metamorphic rather than igneous?

It must form from lava.

It must remain solid. (correct)

It must have a layered appearance.

It must melt completely.

What is the main function of heat and pressure in the rock cycle?

They are responsible for the evaporation of water.

They only form igneous rocks.

They contribute to the breakdown of all rocks into soil.

They facilitate the transformation between the three major rock types. (correct)

Which option correctly describes a mineral's property related to how it reflects light?

Inorganic nature

Moh's scale

Crystalline structure

Luster (correct)

Which of the following is NOT a defining characteristic of minerals?

Organic composition Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct definition of metamorphic rocks?

Rocks that undergo pressure without melting. Signup and view all the answers

Which scale is used to measure the hardness of minerals?

Moh's scale Signup and view all the answers

In the context of minerals, what does 'inorganic' mean?

It does not contain carbon-hydrogen bonds. Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the alignment of minerals perpendicular to pressure in metamorphic rocks?

Foliated Signup and view all the answers

Which type of rock is formed through the cooling of magma?

Intrusive Rocks Signup and view all the answers

Which process involves breaking down larger rocks into smaller pieces?

Weathering Signup and view all the answers

What is the process called that turns sediments into rock through compaction?

Lithification Signup and view all the answers

Which type of igneous rock has larger crystals due to slow cooling?

Granite Signup and view all the answers

Which mineral classification is associated with changes due to heat and pressure?

Metamorphic Minerals Signup and view all the answers

What type of rock is formed from weathered sediments and minerals?

Sedimentary Rocks Signup and view all the answers

Which process involves chemical weathering and breaks down rocks via acidic water?

Dissolution Signup and view all the answers

Which type of rock forms quickly on the Earth's surface after lava cools?

Basalt Signup and view all the answers

Which mineral has the highest hardness on Moh's scale?

Diamond Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of cleavage in minerals?

How a mineral breaks into pieces Signup and view all the answers

Which mineral has a specific gravity of 2.7?

Quartz Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a method for determining mineral properties?

Conductivity test Signup and view all the answers

Which category comprises minerals made from silicon and oxygen?

Silicates Signup and view all the answers

What component is primarily identified in carbonates?

Carbonate ion (CO₃) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a native element mineral?

Gold Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a landform?

A feature on the Earth's surface Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Metamorphic Rocks

Formed without melting existing rock, essential to prevent conversion to igneous rock.
Classified into two categories:
- Foliated: minerals aligned perpendicular to applied pressure.
- Nonfoliated: lack a layered appearance.

Rock Cycle

Represents processes involving the formation and breakdown of three rock types: igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary.
Involves application of heat and pressure over time, facilitating transitions between rock types.

Minerals

Defined by specific characteristics:
- Naturally occurring through geological processes.
- Solid at room temperature with a crystalline structure.
- Inorganic, lacking carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds from living organisms.
- Fixed chemical structure, identical properties among the same type.
Descriptive properties include:
- Luster: Reflectivity of light; types include glassy and metallic.
- Hardness: Measured using Moh's scale, where diamond scores a "10" as the hardest mineral.
- Streak: Color of the mineral in powdered form, determined by rubbing on a hard surface.
- Cleavage: Pattern of breakage, varying from small cubes to thin sheets.
- Specific Gravity: Density measurement compared to water (SG=1); e.g., pyrite SG=5, quartz SG=2.7.
- Color: Can be misleading for identification, as many minerals present various colors.
Classifications of minerals:
- Silicates: Composed of silicon and oxygen; represents 90% of Earth's crust.
- Non-silicates: Includes carbonates, halides, oxides, sulfides, and native elements (e.g., gold, copper).

Rocks

Defined as solid collections of mineral grains classified by formation processes:
- Igneous Rocks: Formed from cooling of magma or lava; slow cooling results in larger crystals for intrusive rocks.
- Sedimentary Rocks: Created from eroded sediments through processes such as:
  - Erosion and Weathering: Breakdown of larger rocks into smaller ones by wind and rain.
  - Dissolution: Chemical weathering by acidic water.
  - Precipitation: Formation of rocks/minerals from precipitated chemicals in water.
  - Lithification: Compaction of sediments under the weight of overlying materials into rock.

Landforms

Geomorphological units characterized by surface form and location.
Each landform contributes to Earth's overall landscape and terrain features.

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Description

This quiz covers the formation of metamorphic rocks, emphasizing the importance of solid-state transformation without melting. It also explores the rock cycle and the classification of rocks into foliated and nonfoliated categories, highlighting their unique characteristics.