Rocks Flashcards
define rock
a naturally occurring solid mixture of one or more minerals or organic matter
define rock cycle
the series of processes in which a rock forms, changes from one type to another, is destroyed, and forms again by geological processes
define weathering
the breaking down of rock into particles called sediments
define erosion
the process by which wind, water, ice, or gravity transports soil and sediment from one location to another
define deposition
the process in which material is laid down
define cementation
when layers of sediment are pressed together to form to form sedimentary rock
define abrasion
the process of scraping or wearing away
define composition
the chemical makeup of a rock; describes either the minerals or other materials in the rock
define texture
the quality of a rock that is based on the sizes, shapes, and positions of the rock’s grains
define destructive force
the process by which rock is broken down
define constructive force
a force in science that builds something
define igneous rock
a type of rock that forms when magma cools and solidifies
define sedimentary rock
rocks formed by the deposition of sediments compacted and cemented together
define metamorphic rock
rock altered by pressure and heat deep within the Earth
define intrusive igneous rock
rock formed from the cooling and solidification of magma beneath the Earth’s surface
define extrusive igneous rock
rock that forms as a result of volcanic activity at or near the Earth’s surface
define clastic sedimentary rock
formed when rock fragments are cemented together
define chemical sedimentary rock
formed when minerals crystallize out of a solution, such as sea water, to become rock
define organic sedimentary rock
forms from the remains of once living plants or animals
foliated metamorphic rock
the texture of metamorphic rock in which the mineral grains are arranged in planes or bands
unfoliated metamorphic rock
the texture of metamorphic rock in which the mineral grains are not arranged in planes or bands
