Rocks Classification Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Rocks are classified as igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic based primarily on their?

method of formation

When granite melts and then solidifies, it becomes?

an igneous rock

Which statement about the rock cycle is NOT true? (Select the correct option)

A sedimentary rock in the future may change into another type of sedimentary rock

Cementation is a process that leads to sedimentary rocks

Solidification is always needed to form an igneous rock

When heat is applied to a rock and it melts, it may form a metamorphic rock (correct)

The burial process involving sedimentary rocks is usually?

within a water environment Signup and view all the answers

The solidification of magma produces?

Only igneous rocks Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about a metamorphic rock is not supported by the rock cycle?

A metamorphic rock has undergone cementation Signup and view all the answers

The process of uplift is essential to the rock cycle for?

exposing rocks to the forces of weathering and erosion Signup and view all the answers

The crystals of many metamorphic rocks are aligned in bands as a result of?

heat and pressure Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about an igneous rock is not supported by the rock cycle?

All igneous rocks eventually become sedimentary rocks Signup and view all the answers

Uplift, weathering and erosion lead to formation of?

sediments Signup and view all the answers

Which sedimentary rocks are clastic and consist of particles that have diameters smaller than 0.006 centimeter?

silstone and shale Signup and view all the answers

Larger crystal size in one of two igneous rocks of similar composition usually indicates that the rock with the larger crystals cooled for?

a longer period of time than the other Signup and view all the answers

What do most igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks have in common?

They are composed of minerals Signup and view all the answers

In which group do the rocks usually have the mineral quartz as a part of their composition?

granite, rhyolite, sandstone, hornfels Signup and view all the answers

Which two igneous rocks could have the same mineral composition?

gabbro and basalt Signup and view all the answers

Different arrangements of tetrahedra in the silicate group of minerals result in differences in the minerals'?

hardness, cleavage and crystal shape Signup and view all the answers

The mineral mica breaks evenly along flat sheets mainly because of its?

atomic arrangement Signup and view all the answers

Which mineral bubbles when acid is placed on it?

calcite Signup and view all the answers

Scratching a mineral against a glass plate and rubbing a mineral on a streak plate are helpful procedures for determining a mineral's?

identity Signup and view all the answers

Which 2 elements listed below are most abundant by weight in the Earth's crust?

silicon and oxygen Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Rock Classification

Rocks are categorized into igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic based on their method of formation.
Igneous rock, such as granite, forms when molten material cools and solidifies.

Rock Cycle Facts

Cementation is crucial in forming sedimentary rocks, while melting transforms rocks into magma, leading to igneous formations, not metamorphic ones.
Sedimentary rocks may transition into different types of sedimentary rocks over time.

Sedimentary Rock Formation

Sedimentary rocks typically form in water environments due to burial processes.
Uplift, weathering, and erosion produce sediments that contribute to sedimentary rock formation.

Metamorphic Rock Characteristics

Metamorphic rocks can become sediments or may undergo melting, but they do not form through the process of cementation.
Heat and pressure cause the crystals in many metamorphic rocks to align in bands.

Igneous Rock Traits

Not all igneous rocks become sedimentary rocks; they can also undergo remelting and solidification into different igneous rocks.
An igneous rock's history includes being in a liquid state at some point, and it can also experience metamorphism.

Sedimentary Rock Types

Clastic sedimentary rocks like siltstone and shale consist of particles smaller than 0.006 centimeters in diameter.

Igneous Rock Properties

Larger crystals in igneous rocks indicate longer cooling periods compared to smaller-crystal counterparts.

Commonality Among Rock Types

All igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks are primarily composed of minerals.

Mineral Composition

Rocks such as granite, rhyolite, sandstone, and hornfels typically contain quartz.
Gabbro and basalt may share mineral compositions despite different textural appearances.

Silicate Minerals

Variations in tetrahedra arrangements in silicate minerals lead to differences in hardness, cleavage, and crystal shape.

Mineral Characteristics

Mica's ability to break along flat sheets is due to its atomic arrangement.
Calcite reacts with acid, producing bubbles, serving as an identification test.

Mineral Identification Techniques

Scratching minerals against glass or rubbing them on a streak plate aids in determining their identity.

Earth's Crust Composition

Silicon and oxygen are the two most abundant elements by weight in the Earth's crust.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the classification of rocks including igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic types. This quiz will challenge you with definitions and concepts related to the rock cycle and formation processes. Perfect for geology students!