Rocks Flashcards
What is geology?
The study of the Earth, the materials of which it is made. The structure of those materials and the processes acting upon them (How things have changed over time)
What is a rock?
A rock is a mixture of minerals. Minerals usually exist in rock as crystals of various kinds, shapes and sizes.
What is a mineral?
A mineral is a natural compound. It has a chemical name and a formula, like the compounds in science - but we use its geological name.
What are the most common atoms in rock?
Silicon and oxygen
What are some examples of rock in the world?
Soil, jewellery, tiles/worktops, mountains, bricks, milk, cereal or computers.
What are three ways to describe sedimentary rock?
Colourful, rough, has layers and reacts to erosion and weathering.
What are three ways to describe metamorphic rock?
Hardwearing, resistant to weathering and erosion and a ‘squished’ texture
What are three ways to describe igneous rock?
Shines when polished, resistant to erosion and hard.
How is sedimentary rock made?
It is formed by rocks and sea creatures over time. Rock particles are deposited in lakes and seas. They build up and compact the particles together. The particles travel by river/stream.
How is metamorphic rock made?
It is made when rocks are exposed to extreme pressure or heat.
How is igneous rock made?
It is made when magma cools and crystallises
What are some examples of sedimentary rock?
Limestone, sandstone and shale
What are some examples of metamorphic rock?
Marble and slate
What are some examples of igneous rock?
Granite, Pumice and basalt
What is the geological time scale?
The geological time scale is a record of the life forms and geological events in Earth’s history. Scientists developed the time scale by studying rock layers and fossils worldwide. Radioactive dating helped determine the divisions in the time scale.
During the carboniferous period in the UK, what were the weather conditions and what rocks were formed?
The weather was tropical, and coal and limestone were formed.
In which period did the Ice Age form?
The Ice Age formed in the Quaternary Period.
In which period was chalk formed?
Chalk was formed in the Cretaceous Period.
What are all the periods of the geological timescale? (Newest to oldest)
Neogene Paleogene Cretaceous Jurassic Triassic Permian Carboniferous Devonian Silurian Ordovician Cambrian Precambrian
What is an extrusive igneous rock?
A rock that is formed when magma cools and crystallises on the Earth’s surface. Pressure forces the magma out of the ground for a volcano, or it is slowly pushed upwards (called uplift) when it cools.
What is an intrusive igneous rock?
A rock that is formed when magma cools and crystallises below the surface (usually relatively deep into the Earth)
What can sedimentary rock turn into?
Metamorphic rock
What can metamorphic rock turn into?
Sedimentary rock and magma