Questions and Answers
What are the classifications of rocks?
Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic
Which of the following are rock-forming minerals? (Select all that apply)
The three types of rocks are _____, _____, and _____.
Igneous, Sedimentary, Metamorphic
Sedimentary rocks are formed from the cooling of molten lava.
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What are the physical and chemical properties used to identify common rock-forming minerals?
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Which of the following is NOT a type of rock classification?
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All rocks can be classified as either igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic.
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What is the most essential learning competency for Earth Science in Lesson 3?
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Study Notes
Physical and Chemical Properties of Minerals
- Minerals are identified through their physical and chemical properties, crucial for understanding rock formation.
- Common physical properties include color, luster, streak, hardness, cleavage, and fracture.
- Color: The visible hue of a mineral, though not always reliable for identification.
- Luster: Describes how a mineral reflects light; types include metallic and non-metallic.
- Streak: The color of the mineral in powdered form; tested by rubbing on a porcelain plate.
- Hardness: Measured by Mohs scale, which rates from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond); a critical property for identification.
- Cleavage: The tendency of a mineral to break along flat surfaces; distinct patterns can indicate specific minerals.
- Fracture: Describes how a mineral breaks irregularly when it does not cleave.
Classification of Rocks
- Rocks are classified into three major types: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic, based on their formation process.
- Igneous Rocks: Formed from cooled and solidified magma or lava; examples include basalt and granite.
- Sedimentary Rocks: Created from the accumulation of sediments; often contain fossils and are formed through processes like compression and cementation; examples include sandstone and limestone.
- Metamorphic Rocks: Altered by heat, pressure, or chemically active fluids; can form from igneous, sedimentary, or other metamorphic rocks; examples include schist and marble.
- Understanding these classifications aids in recognizing the geological processes that shaped the Earth’s crust.
Physical and Chemical Properties of Minerals
- Minerals are identified through their physical and chemical properties, crucial for understanding rock formation.
- Common physical properties include color, luster, streak, hardness, cleavage, and fracture.
- Color: The visible hue of a mineral, though not always reliable for identification.
- Luster: Describes how a mineral reflects light; types include metallic and non-metallic.
- Streak: The color of the mineral in powdered form; tested by rubbing on a porcelain plate.
- Hardness: Measured by Mohs scale, which rates from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond); a critical property for identification.
- Cleavage: The tendency of a mineral to break along flat surfaces; distinct patterns can indicate specific minerals.
- Fracture: Describes how a mineral breaks irregularly when it does not cleave.
Classification of Rocks
- Rocks are classified into three major types: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic, based on their formation process.
- Igneous Rocks: Formed from cooled and solidified magma or lava; examples include basalt and granite.
- Sedimentary Rocks: Created from the accumulation of sediments; often contain fossils and are formed through processes like compression and cementation; examples include sandstone and limestone.
- Metamorphic Rocks: Altered by heat, pressure, or chemically active fluids; can form from igneous, sedimentary, or other metamorphic rocks; examples include schist and marble.
- Understanding these classifications aids in recognizing the geological processes that shaped the Earth’s crust.
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Description
Explore the physical and chemical properties of minerals essential for rock identification. Learn about key concepts such as color, luster, streak, hardness, cleavage, and fracture. Additionally, gain insight into the three major types of rocks: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.