Layers
The outermost solid layer of Earth where we live.
What is the crust?
A mineral’s ability to resist being scratched.
What is hardness?
Rocks are made of these naturally occurring solids.
What are minerals?
Rocks formed from compacted and cemented sediments are called this.
What are sedimentary rocks?
Remains of ancient plants or animals preserved in rocks.
What are fossils?
The thick layer beneath the crust that moves slowly.
What is the mantle?
How a mineral reflects light, like shiny or dull.
What is lustre?
Minerals are made of one or more of these substances.
What are the elements?
Rocks formed when magma or lava cools.
What are igneous rocks?
Diamonds, rubies, and emeralds are examples of these valuable minerals.
What are precious stones?
The layer that is solid and generates Earth’s magnetic field.
What is the inner core?
The scale used to compare mineral hardness.
What is the Mohs scale?
The regular, repeating arrangement of atoms inside a mineral.
What is the crystal structure?
Rocks changed by heat and pressure are called this.
What are metamorphic rocks?
In mining, the valuable rock is called ore; the useless part is called this.
What is the gangue?
The solid layer at Earth’s center made mostly of iron and nickel.
What is the inner core?
The way a mineral breaks along flat surfaces.
What is cleavage?
Minerals containing silicon and oxygen belong to this group.
What are silicates?
The process showing how rocks change from one type to another.
What is the rock cycle?
Some minerals, like copper, are used because they let electricity pass through them.
What are conductors?
The inner core stays solid because of this extreme condition.
What is high pressure?
The colour of a mineral’s powder.
What is the streak?
Minerals that do not contain silicon belong to this group.
What are non-silicates?
Granite is this type of igneous rock that cools slowly underground.
What is a plutonic rock?
Rocks and minerals are taken from open pits called these.
What are quarries?