Rocks and Minerals

Question 1

______ is a naturally-occurring aggregate or combination of minerals and mineraloids

Answer 1

rock

Question 2

what is the natural building blocks of the lithosphere

Answer 2

rocks

Question 3

enumerate the three categories of rocks

Answer 3

igneous rocks
sedimentary rocks
metamorphic rocks

Question 4

formed through the cooling of magma/lava

Answer 4

igneous rocks

Question 5

they come from pre existing rocks or pieces of dead organisms that have been combined together by natural processes like weathering and erosion

Answer 5

sedimentary rocks

Question 6

sedimentary rocks accumulated on the earth’s surface through a process called _______ like weathering and erosion

Answer 6

deposition

Question 7

formed from the exposure of sedimentary or igneous rocks to high pressure, high temperature, or both deep within the earth’s surface

Answer 7

metamorphic rocks

Question 8

this refers to the size, shape, and arrangement of mineral grains and other constituents of a rock

Answer 8

texture

Question 9

this is the general term applied to the combined action of all physical and chemical processes that disintegrate and decompose rocks near the earth’s surface through the elements of weather

Answer 9

weathering

Question 10

these are actions of changes that are located within the earth

Answer 10

endogenic processes

Question 11

these are actions of changes that are located at or near the earth’s surface.

Answer 11

exogenic processes

Question 12

_______ happens whenever rocks are broken up without any change in their chemical composition

Answer 12

physical weathering

Question 13

physical weathering is also called?

Answer 13

mechanical weathering

Question 14

what is seen as an energy from the motion of the molecules of bodies that may be transferred by conduction, convection, or radiation

Answer 14

heat

Question 15

_______ is the eruption of molten rock called magma onto the earth’s surface through a vent

Answer 15

volcanism

Question 16

as the plates continue to move due to the convection of the earth’s layers, rocks are continuously exposed to stress. this is called _______

Answer 16

tectonic forces and processes

Question 17

_______ rocks have grains that are too small to see or identify. the grain size is less than 1/16 mm

Answer 17

aphanitic rocks

Question 18

_______ rocks have grains which are big enough to see. the grain size is larger than 1/16 mm

Answer 18

phaneritic rocks

Question 19

the color of mineral in powder form

Answer 19

streak

Question 20

refers to the measure of the mineral’s resistance to scratching

Answer 20

hardness

Question 21

usually the property used to identify minerals easily. it is the result of the way minerals absorb light

Answer 21

color

Question 22

refers to the tendency of a mineral to split along planes of weakness

Answer 22

cleavage

Question 23

refers to the quality of light on the surface of a rock, crystal, or mineral. it determines how brilliant or dull the mineral is.

Answer 23

luster

Question 24

refers to the distinct smell of a mineral that is usually released from a chemical reaction when subjected to water, heat or air, or friction

Answer 24

odor

Question 25

refers to the measure of the density of a mineral

Answer 25

specific gravity

Question 26

refers to the resistance or reaction of minerals to stress such as crushing, bending, breaking, or leaving.

Answer 26

tenacity

Question 27

refers to the ability of a mineral to attract or repel other minerals

Answer 27

magnetism

Question 28

refers to the extent of light that can pass through the mineral

Answer 28

transparency

Question 29

refers to how a mineral’s crystals are arranged

Answer 29

crystalline structure

Question 30

enumerate the earth’s subsystems

Answer 30

geosphere
hydrosphere
atmosphere
biosphere

Question 31

this refers to the solid earth

Answer 31

geosphere

Question 32

the loose particles of rocks blanketing the surface of the earth is called _______

Answer 32

regolith

Question 33

this refers to totality of earth’s water, including the permanently frozen parts

Answer 33

hydrosphere

Question 34

what are the permanently frozen parts called?

Answer 34

cryosphere

Question 35

the cryosphere includes the _______, _______, and _______

Answer 35

polar ice gaps
glaciers
permafrost

Question 36

this refers to the mixture of gases that surround the planet

Answer 36

atmosphere

Question 37

this refers to all life forms

Answer 37

biosphere