Rocks and Minerals Flashcards
______ is a naturally-occurring aggregate or combination of minerals and mineraloids
rock
what is the natural building blocks of the lithosphere
rocks
enumerate the three categories of rocks
igneous rocks
sedimentary rocks
metamorphic rocks
formed through the cooling of magma/lava
igneous rocks
they come from pre existing rocks or pieces of dead organisms that have been combined together by natural processes like weathering and erosion
sedimentary rocks
sedimentary rocks accumulated on the earth’s surface through a process called _______ like weathering and erosion
deposition
formed from the exposure of sedimentary or igneous rocks to high pressure, high temperature, or both deep within the earth’s surface
metamorphic rocks
this refers to the size, shape, and arrangement of mineral grains and other constituents of a rock
texture
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
weathering
these are actions of changes that are located within the earth
endogenic processes
these are actions of changes that are located at or near the earth’s surface.
exogenic processes
_______ happens whenever rocks are broken up without any change in their chemical composition
physical weathering
physical weathering is also called?
mechanical weathering
what is seen as an energy from the motion of the molecules of bodies that may be transferred by conduction, convection, or radiation
heat
_______ is the eruption of molten rock called magma onto the earth’s surface through a vent
volcanism
as the plates continue to move due to the convection of the earth’s layers, rocks are continuously exposed to stress. this is called _______
tectonic forces and processes
_______ rocks have grains that are too small to see or identify. the grain size is less than 1/16 mm
aphanitic rocks
_______ rocks have grains which are big enough to see. the grain size is larger than 1/16 mm
phaneritic rocks
the color of mineral in powder form
streak
refers to the measure of the mineral’s resistance to scratching
hardness
usually the property used to identify minerals easily. it is the result of the way minerals absorb light
color
refers to the tendency of a mineral to split along planes of weakness
cleavage
refers to the quality of light on the surface of a rock, crystal, or mineral. it determines how brilliant or dull the mineral is.
luster
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
odor
refers to the measure of the density of a mineral
specific gravity
refers to the resistance or reaction of minerals to stress such as crushing, bending, breaking, or leaving.
tenacity
refers to the ability of a mineral to attract or repel other minerals
magnetism
refers to the extent of light that can pass through the mineral
transparency
refers to how a mineral’s crystals are arranged
crystalline structure
enumerate the earth’s subsystems
geosphere
hydrosphere
atmosphere
biosphere
this refers to the solid earth
geosphere
the loose particles of rocks blanketing the surface of the earth is called _______
regolith
this refers to totality of earth’s water, including the permanently frozen parts
hydrosphere
what are the permanently frozen parts called?
cryosphere
the cryosphere includes the _______, _______, and _______
polar ice gaps
glaciers
permafrost
this refers to the mixture of gases that surround the planet
atmosphere
this refers to all life forms
biosphere
