Rocks and Minerals Flashcards
What are minerals made of?
made of atoms of elements.
5 characteristics that define a mineral
five requirements: naturally occurring. inorganic. solid. definite chemical composition.
textures of igneous rocks dependent on cooling rate
Magma cools into various types of igneous rock depending on the composition of the magma and the amount of time it takes the magma to cool and solidify.
describe the 3 compositions of a sedimentary rock
Clastic: your basic sedimentary rock. …
Chemical: many of these form when standing water evaporates, leaving dissolved minerals behind. …
Organic: any accumulation of sedimentary debris caused by organic processes.
-what does foliated mean?
Foliation is the layered structure common to metamorphic rock.
what rock type can be foliated?
metamorphic rocks
what type of rock can contain fossils?
Generally it is only sedimentary rocks that contain fossils.
which of Earth’s spheres stores the most carbon?
hydrophere
what processes can move carbon from one sphere to another?
Carbon cycle
Cementation?
hardening and welding of sediments (those formed from preexisting rock fragments) by the precipitation of mineral matter in the pore spaces.
Compaction?
Compaction is what happens when something is crushed or compressed.
Decomposition?
Decomposition is the breakdown of animals and plant structures by bacteria and the release of carbon compounds into the atmosphere, soil and to the ocean floor.
Erosion?
Small, solid particles of material from rocks or organisms which are moved by water or wind, resulting in erosion and deposition.
Foliated?
Foliation in geology refers to repetitive layering in metamorphic rocks.
Fossil?
A fossil is the preserved remains or impressions of a living organism such as a plant, animal, or insect.
