Questions and Answers
What is Earth's crust made of?
rock
How do scientists classify rocks?
texture, mineral composition, and color
What are rocks made of?
minerals, cooled magma, inorganic, organic, and silica
What minerals are found in granite?
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Most rocks can be identified by color alone.
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What is texture?
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What are grains?
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A rock's grains give the rock its texture.
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Coarse grain is a term used for a rock's grain pattern.
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What describes the grain shape of a rock (such as granite)?
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What describes the grain shape of a rock (such as conglomerate)?
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What describes the grain pattern of gneiss?
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How do geologists classify rock?
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What are the 3 major groups of rocks?
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How do igneous rocks form?
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How do sedimentary rocks form?
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How do metamorphic rocks form?
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Most metamorphic rocks form close to the surface.
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The look and feel of a rock's surface is its...
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The particles of minerals or other rocks that make up a rock are called...
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What are the 20 minerals that make up most of rocks in Earth's crust?
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Study Notes
Earth's Crust Composition
- Earth's crust is primarily composed of rock.
Rock Classification
- Rocks are classified based on texture, mineral composition, and color.
Composition of Rocks
- Rocks consist of minerals, cooled magma, and can be both inorganic and organic, with silica being a common component.
Granite Components
- Granite typically contains quartz, feldspar, mica, and hornblende.
Rock Identification
- Color alone is not sufficient for identifying most rocks; additional features are required.
Definition of Texture
- Texture refers to the look and feel of a rock's surface.
Grains in Rocks
- Grains are the particles of minerals and other rocks that constitute a rock's structure.
Grains and Texture Connection
- The grains of a rock contribute significantly to its overall texture.
Coarse Grain Misconception
- The term "coarse grain" is not used to describe a rock's grain pattern.
Grain Shape Description
- The shape of a rock's crystals and fragments of other rocks characterizes its grain shape, especially in granite.
Conglomerate Grain Description
- Grain characteristics in conglomerate include fineness, shape of crystals, size, and fragments.
Gneiss Grain Pattern
- Gneiss features a banded appearance with varying colors, resembling stacked pancakes.
Geologist Classification Criteria
- Geologists utilize texture, streak, and color for classifying rocks.
Major Rock Groups
- The three main groups of rocks are igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.
Formation of Igneous Rocks
- Igneous rocks are formed from molten rock material.
Formation of Sedimentary Rocks
- Sedimentary rocks occur when particles are pressed together and cemented.
Formation of Metamorphic Rocks
- Metamorphic rocks arise when existing rocks undergo transformations due to heat and pressure.
Metamorphic Rock Formation Location
- Contrary to belief, most metamorphic rocks form deep beneath the Earth's surface, not close to it.
Texture Reiteration
- The texture of a rock encompasses its surface aesthetics and tactile qualities.
Definition of Grains
- The particles that form a rock are collectively referred to as grains.
Rock-Forming Minerals
- There are 20 key minerals recognized as the primary constituents of Earth's crust rocks.
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Description
Test your knowledge about the classification of rocks with these flashcards. Learn about the composition of Earth's crust, the criteria for classifying rocks, and specific minerals found in common rock types. Perfect for students studying geology or earth sciences.
