People who study rocks and minerals are called ...
geologists
Name the three different types of rock categories that geologists use to classify rocks.
Igneous Rock, Metamorphic Rock and Sedimentary Rock
Often used for countertops.
Granite
What are the three types of Sedimentary Rocks and how do they form?
Clastic Rocks - form when rock fragments are squeezed together
Organic Rocks - form from remains of plant or animals
Chemical Rocks - form when minerals that are dissolved in a solution crystallize as the water evaporates
Common uses of Igneous Rocks
tools, building materials, gravel, abrasive for cleaning or polishing, and fertilizer
When studying rocks, geologists observe what three things about the rocks?
Composition
color
texture
Type of rock that forms when particles of other rocks or the remains of plants and animals are pressed and cemented together
Sedimentary Rock
looks like black glass
Obsidian
Limestone is an example of which type of sedimentary rock?
organic rock
Common uses for Metamorphic Rocks
building, sculpture, countertop, flooring, roofing, or walkways
Geologists describe rock texture in terms of what three things?
Grain size - coarse or fine
Grain shape -- smooth or jagged
Grain pattern -- layers, swirling, bands or color or randomly throughout
Type of rock that forms when an existing rock is changed by heat, pressure or chemical reactions.
Metamorphic Rocks
Forms much of the ocean floor
Basalt
Rock Salt or Halite is an example of which type of sedimentary rock?
chemical rock
Name the two types of Igneous Rocks AND where they form.
Extrusive Igneous rock form when lava cools on Earth's surface.
Intrusive Igneous rock form when magma cools inside Earth.
What force powers the rock cycle?
The Convection Current deep inside the Earth powers the movement of Tectonic Plates and causes the rock cycle to occur.
Type of rock which forms from cooling magma or lava
Igneous Rock
Is made of tiny pebbles that have be pressed and cemented together
Conglomerate
Breccia, Conglomerate, and Sandstone are examples of which type of sedimentary rock?
Clastic Rock
Name the two types of Metamorphic Rocks.
Foliated Rock - has grains arranged in parallel layers or bands
Nonfoliated Rock - has grains in random patterns
In Igneous Rocks, the grain size is determined by
How long it take for the Lava or Magma to cool. Larger grains only form when the cooling process takes a long time. Smaller grains will form when the cooling process is fast.
Name that rock -- Hint Ms. Hinch's Favorite Igneous Rock
Pele's Hair
Made of jagged pieces of other rocks that have been pressed and cemented together.
Breccia
What are some common uses of sedimentary rocks?
building materials, tools, food (halite is salt)
How can an igneous rock become a metamorphic rock?
When the igneous rock is subducted deep beneath the surface of the Earth it is exposed to extreme heat and pressure, which will change it into a different rock. It becomes a metamorphic rock when this change occurs.