Chapter 9 Rocks

Question 1

Lithosphere

Answer 1

the outermost layer of the Earth, includes the crust and uppermost part of the mantle

Question 2

Magma

Answer 2

a very hot mixture of molten rock and gases, just below the Earth’s surface, that has come from the mantle

Question 3

Lava

Answer 3

hot molten or semi-fluid rock erupted from a volcano or fissure, or solid rock resulting from cooling of this.

Question 4

Native Element

Answer 4

elements found uncombined in the Earth’s crust

Question 5

Crystal

Answer 5

geometrically-shaped substance made up of atoms and molecules arranged in one of seven different shapes. The elements that make up a crystal and the conditions present during the crystal’s growth determine the arrangement of atoms and molecules and the shape of the crystals.

Question 6

Mohs scale

Answer 6

a scale of hardness used in classifying minerals. It runs from 1 to 10 using a series of reference minerals, and position on the scale depends on ability to scratch minerals rated lower.

Question 7

Igneous rock

Answer 7

rocks that form from the cooling of lava or magma as it is thrown through the air from a volcanic eruption

Question 8

Extrusive igneous rock

Answer 8

igneous rock that forms when lava cools above the Earth’s surface

Question 9

Instrusive igneous rock

Answer 9

igneous rock that forms when magma cools below the Earth’s surface

Question 10

Batholith

Answer 10

intrusive rock mass that measures more than 100 kilometres across

Question 11

Erosion

Answer 11

the process of eroding or being eroded by wind, water, or other natural agents.

Question 12

Sediment

Answer 12

material broken down by weathering and erosion that is moved by wind or water and collects in layers

Question 13

Floodplain

Answer 13

flat, open land beside a river where sediments are deposited during floods

Question 14

Sedimentary rock

Answer 14

rocks formed from sediments deposited by water, wind or ice. The sediments are cemented together in layers, under pressure.

Question 15

Coal

Answer 15

a sedimentary rock formed from dead plants and animals that were buried before rotting completely

Question 16

Limestone

Answer 16

a sedimentary rock formed from the remains of sea organisms. It consists mainly of calcium carbonate.

Question 17

Conglomerate rock

Answer 17

sedimentary rock containing large particles of various sizes cemented together

Question 18

Metamorphic rock

Answer 18

rock formed from another rock that has been under great heat or pressure (or both)

Question 19

Rock cycle

Answer 19

an idealized cycle of processes undergone by rocks in the earth’s crust, involving igneous intrusion, uplift, erosion, transportation, deposition as sedimentary rock, metamorphism, and further melting and igneous intrusion.

Question 20

Mineral ore

Answer 20

rocks mined to obtain a metal or other chemical within them

Question 21

Open cut mining

Answer 21

mining that scours out soil and rocks on the surface of the land

Question 22

Underground mining

Answer 22

mining that uses shafts and tunnels to remove rock from deep below the surface

Question 23

Palaeontologist

Answer 23

a scientist who studies fossils

Question 24

Fossil

Answer 24

any remains, impression, or trace of an animal or plant of a former geological age; evidence of life in the past

Question 25

Trace fossil

Answer 25

fossils that provide evidence, such as footprints, that an organism was present when the rock was formed