53 Questions
What is the main source of all minerals?
Hot magma in the interior of the earth
How many elements make up about 98% of the total crust of the earth?
Eight elements
What is the definition of a mineral?
Naturally occurring organic and inorganic substance with an orderly arrangement of atoms and a definite composition and physical properties
How many minerals have been found in the earth's crust?
About 2000 minerals
What determines the external shape of a mineral?
Internal arrangement of molecules
Where do crystals of minerals get formed?
When magma cools
What is the property of breaking along specific planes called?
Cleavage
What term is used to describe the shining quality of an object?
Lustre
What is the ratio between the weight of a given mineral and the weight of an equal amount of water called?
Specific gravity
Which scale is commonly adopted to express the hardness of minerals?
Mohs scale
Which type of minerals lack malleability and ductility?
Non-metallic minerals
What type of rock is formed out of magma and lava from the interior of the earth?
Igneous rocks
What is the process by which sedimentary rocks are formed from deposits through compaction?
Lithification
Under what action do metamorphic rocks form?
Pressure, volume, and temperature (PVT change)
What is the science that includes the studying of mineral composition, structure, texture, origin, occurrence, alteration, and relationship with other rocks?
Petrology
What is the age determination method based on for rocks?
'Carbon-14 dating'
What is the process known as when the materials of the rocks alter chemically and recrystallise?
Thermal metamorphism
Which type of metamorphism occurs when rocks come in contact with hot magma and lava, leading to recrystallisation under high temperatures?
Contact metamorphism
What is the term used to describe the arrangement in metamorphic rocks where minerals of different nature form alternating arrangements of thin and thick layers which appear in light and dark shades?
Banding
What are some examples of metamorphic rocks?
Slate, diamond, marble
In the rock cycle, what are primary rocks from which other rocks, sedimentary and metamorphic form?
Igneous rocks
What do the crustal rocks - igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic transform into under the influence of high pressure/temperature?
Metamorphic rocks
What is the source of sedimentary rocks in the rock cycle?
Compacted fragments from igneous and metamorphic rocks
What process carries the crustal rocks down into the mantle (interior of the earth) through subduction?
Subduction
What is the continuous process through which old rocks are transformed into new ones known as?
The rock cycle
What type of rock can be formed when magma and lava from the interior of the earth cool and solidify?
Igneous rock
Which process is the main source of all minerals?
Melting of hot magma
What is the term for the continuous process through which old rocks are transformed into new ones?
Metamorphism
What determines the external shape of a mineral?
Internal arrangement of molecules
How many minerals have been found in the earth's crust?
Exceeding 2000
What are some examples of metamorphic rocks?
Marble and slate
What type of metamorphism occurs when rocks come in contact with hot magma and lava, leading to recrystallization under high temperatures?
Contact metamorphism
What is the term used to describe the shining quality of an object?
Luster
Under what action do metamorphic rocks form?
High pressure, temperature, or both
How many elements make up about 98% of the total crust of the earth?
8
What is the science that includes the studying of mineral composition, structure, texture, origin, occurrence, alteration, and relationship with other rocks?
Mineralogy
What type of metamorphism occurs when rocks come in contact with hot magma and lava, leading to recrystallisation under high temperatures?
Contact metamorphism
What is the continuous process through which old rocks are transformed into new ones known as?
Rock Cycle
What is the term used to describe the arrangement in metamorphic rocks where minerals of different nature form alternating arrangements of thin and thick layers which appear in light and dark shades?
Banding
What process carries the crustal rocks down into the mantle (interior of the earth) through subduction?
Subduction Process
What is the source of sedimentary rocks in the rock cycle?
"Weathered igneous and metamorphic rocks"
What property of minerals is described as the ability to resist scratching?
Hardness
What determines the external shape of a mineral?
Structure
What is the ratio between the weight of a given mineral and the weight of an equal amount of water called?
Specific gravity
Which scale is commonly adopted to express the hardness of minerals?
Mohs scale
What type of minerals are generally obtained from sedimentary rocks and lack malleability and ductility?
Non-metallic minerals
Which type of rocks are formed out of magma and lava from the interior of the earth?
Igneous rocks
What type of metamorphism occurs when rocks come in contact with hot magma and lava, leading to recrystallization under high temperatures?
Contact metamorphism
What is the process by which the already consolidated rocks undergo recrystallisation and reorganization of materials within original rocks?
Metamorphism process
Which type of rocks are formed when cooling and solidification takes place on the surface of the earth?
Extrusive rocks
What is the science that includes the studying of mineral composition, structure, texture, origin, occurrence, alteration, and relationship with other rocks?
Petrology
What term is used to describe the shining quality of an object?
Lustre
What property of minerals refers to breaking along specific planes?
Cleavage
Study Notes
Minerals and Rocks
- The main source of all minerals is magma and lava from the interior of the earth.
- About 98% of the earth's crust is made up of eight elements: oxygen, silicon, aluminum, iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium.
Definition and Formation
- A mineral is a naturally occurring inorganic solid substance with a specific chemical composition and a crystalline structure.
- There are over 4,000 known minerals found in the earth's crust.
- The external shape of a mineral is determined by the internal crystal structure.
- Crystals of minerals form in cavities of rocks or through the cooling and solidification of magma.
Properties of Minerals
- The ability of a mineral to break along specific planes is called cleavage.
- The shining quality of an object is described as luster.
- The ratio between the weight of a given mineral and the weight of an equal amount of water is called specific gravity.
- The hardness of minerals is commonly expressed on the Mohs scale.
- Minerals that lack malleability and ductility are typically obtained from sedimentary rocks.
Rocks
- Igneous rocks are formed from magma and lava from the interior of the earth.
- Sedimentary rocks are formed through the compaction of deposits.
- Metamorphic rocks form under high pressure and temperature conditions, resulting in changes to the mineral composition and structure.
Metamorphism
- Metamorphic rocks can exhibit a layered or banded pattern, known as foliation.
- Contact metamorphism occurs when rocks come into contact with hot magma and lava, leading to recrystallization under high temperatures.
Rock Cycle
- The continuous process through which old rocks are transformed into new ones is known as the rock cycle.
- Primary rocks are the original rocks from which other rocks, sedimentary and metamorphic, form.
- Crustal rocks can transform into metamorphic rocks under high pressure and temperature conditions.
- Sedimentary rocks are formed from the erosion of existing rocks, transportation of sediments, and compaction.
Geological Processes
- The process of subduction carries crustal rocks down into the mantle (interior of the earth).
- The science that includes the studying of mineral composition, structure, texture, origin, occurrence, alteration, and relationship with other rocks is known as petrology.
Test your knowledge about minerals and rocks, including their composition, formation, and properties. Learn about the definitions and characteristics of minerals and how they combine to form different types of rocks.
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