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Science > Rocks, Rock Cycle, Soil > Flashcards

Rocks, Rock Cycle, Soil Flashcards

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1
Q

What is sedimentation?

A

The process of transporting, depositing, and eroding materials

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2
Q

Name three common types of sedimentary rock.

A
  • Sandstone
  • Shale
  • Limestone
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3
Q

What is sandstone primarily composed of?

A

Sand grains stuck together, mostly made of quartz

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4
Q

What colors can sandstone be?

A
  • Red
  • Orange
  • Yellow
  • Grey
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5
Q

What is a key characteristic of sandstone?

A

It is formed of layers

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6
Q

What type of sediments is shale made from?

A

Very fine-grained sediments

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7
Q

What color is shale typically?

A

Grey

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8
Q

How can you identify shale?

A

It leaves a mark when scratched and can break with hands

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9
Q

What is limestone made from?

A

Layers of shells from sea animals

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10
Q

What colors can limestone be?

A
  • White
  • Grey
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11
Q

What is a pure type of limestone?

A

Chalk

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12
Q

What common feature do sandstone, shale, and limestone share?

A

They are all formed of layers

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13
Q

What does the word ‘igneous’ mean?

A

Fire

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14
Q

What are igneous rocks derived from?

A

Magma

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15
Q

What is the process called when magma cools and turns into solid rock?

A

Solidification

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16
Q

What is the difference between intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks?

A

Intrusive rocks form inside the Earth’s crust, while extrusive rocks form on the surface

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17
Q

What is an example of an extrusive igneous rock?

A

Basalt

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18
Q

What is an example of an intrusive igneous rock?

A

Granite

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19
Q

Where does magma originate?

A

Deep below the Earth’s surface

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20
Q

Fill in the blank: ‘Extrusive’ means _______ the Earth’s crust.

A

Outside

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21
Q

Fill in the blank: ‘Intrusive’ means _______ the Earth’s crust.

A

Inside

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22
Q

What happens to some magma that stays inside the Earth’s crust?

A

It cools down more slowly and solidifies into intrusive igneous rock

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23
Q

True or False: All igneous rocks form at the Earth’s surface.

A

False

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24
Q

What happens to the rocks above intrusive igneous rocks over time?

A

They wear away, exposing the granite at the surface

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25
Q

What are igneous rocks made of?

A

Minerals, primarily consisting of silica, oxygen, aluminium, magnesium, and iron

Each mineral forms from different combinations of these substances.

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26
Q

What is the most important characteristic of all igneous rocks?

A

They are crystalline

Crystals form when the minerals cool down.

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27
Q

What mineral is quartz made of?

A

Silica and oxygen

Quartz is a common mineral found in igneous rocks.

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28
Q

How do igneous rocks form crystals?

A

When the minerals cool down

The rate of cooling affects crystal size.

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29
Q

What happens to magma when it cools slowly deep below the Earth’s surface?

A

It forms large crystals visible to the naked eye

This process occurs in intrusive igneous rocks.

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30
Q

What is an example of an extrusive igneous rock?

A

Basalt

Extrusive igneous rocks cool quickly, resulting in small crystals.

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31
Q

What minerals are primarily found in granite?

A
  • Quartz
  • Feldspar
  • Mica

Granite is an example of an intrusive igneous rock.

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32
Q

What visual characteristic can be observed in granite?

A

Different colors due to different crystals

The variety of minerals contributes to the rock’s appearance.

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33
Q

Fill in the blank: The lava cools quickly to form an _______ igneous rock.

A

extrusive

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34
Q

True or False: The crystals in extrusive igneous rocks are usually large enough to see with the naked eye.

A

False

Crystals in extrusive rocks are typically too small to be seen.

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35
Q

What is the effect of compression on crystals within igneous rocks?

A

Crystals get squashed together

This occurs as the rock forms and solidifies.

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36
Q

What are Fossils

A

Preserved animal and plant remains

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37
Q

What are fossils?

A

The preserved remains of animals and plants found in sedimentary rocks

Fossils provide important information about past life forms and environments.

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38
Q

How do fossils form?

A

Fossils form when animals or plants are buried quickly in low-air environments

This typically occurs in sedimentary rocks formed in water.

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39
Q

In what type of rocks are fossils typically found?

A

Sedimentary rocks

Sedimentary rocks are formed in environments like sea beds or lake beds.

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40
Q

What happens to an animal’s body after it dies in or near the sea?

A

The soft parts rot away, and minerals gradually replace the bones

This process can take a long time, resulting in a fossil.

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41
Q

What is the role of water in the fossilization process?

A

Water facilitates the replacement of bones with minerals

The minerals in the water harden to form rock.

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42
Q

How old is the dinosaur fossil mentioned in the text?

A

About 150 million years old

This indicates the long time scale over which fossilization occurs.

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43
Q

Fill in the blank: Fossils can only form if the plant or animal is buried quickly in a place with very little _______.

A

air

44
Q

True or False: Fossils can form in igneous rocks.

A

False

Fossils are primarily found in sedimentary rocks.

45
Q

What happens to the bones of an animal during fossilization?

A

They are gradually replaced by minerals

This process results in a fossil that resembles the original bones.

46
Q

What is a mould in the context of fossils?

A

A mould is an imprint of an animal left in sediments.

47
Q

How old is the dinosaur’s footprint mould found in Namibia?

A

About 150 million years old.

48
Q

What is the age of the fossil mould of a leaf found in shale?

A

About 350 million years old.

49
Q

What happens when a mould fills with minerals?

A

It hardens to form a cast of the animal.

50
Q

What are ammonites?

A

Ammonites are extinct marine animals that lived 240 million years ago.

51
Q

In what type of rock are the fossils of ammonites found?

A

In limestone.

52
Q

Fill in the blank: A mould can fill with minerals that harden to form a _______.

A

[cast]

53
Q

True or False: Ammonites still exist on Earth today.

A

False.

54
Q

What does the fossil record indicate about the age of ammonite fossils?

A

They are about 240 million years old.

55
Q

What are metamorphic rocks?

A

Existing rocks that have been changed by heat, pressure, or both

The term ‘metamorphosis’ means change.

56
Q

What happens to minerals in rocks when they are changed by heat?

A

They melt and form new crystals

This process often leads to the formation of new mineral structures.

57
Q

How can rocks be changed by pressure?

A

They are squeezed to form rocks with thin layers

This process can lead to foliation in the resulting metamorphic rock.

58
Q

What occurs when rocks are changed by both heat and pressure?

A

The new rock has different minerals and lots of layers

This combination can create complex metamorphic textures.

59
Q

What causes the heat and pressure that change rocks into metamorphic rocks?

A

Magma rising from the mantle and pushing solid rocks aside

This process occurs beneath the Earth’s surface.

60
Q

What is the role of intrusive igneous rock mass in the formation of metamorphic rocks?

A

It forms from magma and affects surrounding rocks with heat and pressure

Intrusive igneous rocks are formed from magma that cools slowly beneath the Earth’s surface.

61
Q

Fill in the blank: Metamorphic rocks are formed when existing rocks undergo _______.

A

[change]

This change can be due to heat, pressure, or both.

62
Q

True or False: Metamorphic rocks can only be formed by heat.

A

False

Metamorphic rocks can be formed by heat, pressure, or a combination of both.

63
Q

What is the metamorphic rock formed from sandstone?

A

Quartzite

Quartzite is formed when sandstone is heated and the sand grains melt to form new quartz crystals.

64
Q

What characteristic makes quartzite different from sandstone?

A

Hardness and shine

Quartzite is much harder than sandstone and has shiny quartz crystals.

65
Q

What type of rock is formed when limestone is heated?

A

Marble

Marble is the metamorphic rock that forms from limestone under heat and pressure.

66
Q

What happens to the minerals in limestone when it transforms into marble?

A

They melt and form new crystals

The melting of minerals in limestone leads to the formation of new crystals in marble.

67
Q

What colors can marble be, based on its original limestone composition?

A

White, red, blue, yellow, brown, green

The color of marble depends on the substances present in the original limestone.

68
Q

What are some uses of marble?

A

Carving statues, gravestones, decorating buildings

Marble is valued for its beauty and durability, making it suitable for various artistic and architectural applications.

69
Q

True or False: Quartzite can be used to make sculptures.

A

True

Due to its hardness, quartzite is sometimes used in sculpture making.

70
Q

Fill in the blank: The metamorphic rock formed from limestone is called _______.

A

Marble

Marble results from the metamorphism of limestone.

71
Q

How long ago was the quartzite statue of Ankhrekhu made?

A

Almost 4000 years ago

The statue was created in 1850 BCE.

72
Q

What is a significant property of marble?

A

Extremely hard and shiny

Marble’s hardness and luster make it a popular choice for art and architecture.

73
Q

What metamorphic rock is formed when shale is put under intense pressure?

A

Slate

Slate is characterized by its thin layers resulting from the metamorphosis of shale.

74
Q

What is the process that leads to the formation of slate?

A

Burial of sediments leading to intense pressure

Layers of sediments build up on the sea bed, with the bottom layers subjected to huge pressure.

75
Q

List two common uses of slate.

A
  • Making roof tiles
  • Making floor tiles

Slate is valued for its hardness and durability.

76
Q

What metamorphic rock is formed when granite is heated and minerals melt?

A

Gneiss

Gneiss features bands or stripes of crystals created by the melting and recrystallization of granite.

77
Q

What characteristic feature distinguishes gneiss from granite?

A

Stripes or bands of crystals

The crystals in gneiss are arranged in bands, unlike the random distribution in granite.

78
Q

What is one use of gneiss in construction?

A

Crushed to make roads

Gneiss is very hard and is often used in road construction.

79
Q

What are the main types of soil based on rock weathering?

A

Sandy soil, clay soil, loam

Different rocks weather into different types of soil, such as sandstone and quartzite into sandy soil, shale into clay soil, and igneous and metamorphic rocks into sandy or clay soil.

80
Q

What type of soil is formed from sandstone and quartzite?

A

Sandy soil

Sandy soil is characterized by its large particles and rough texture.

81
Q

What type of soil does shale weather into?

A

Clay soil

Clay soil has smaller particles compared to sandy soil.

82
Q

What is loam soil characterized by?

A

Dark color and high organic matter content

Loam soil is known for its rich nutrient content due to the presence of organic matter.

83
Q

Describe the texture of sandy soil.

A

Rough and crumbly

Sandy soil has large particles and large spaces between them.

84
Q

What is a key feature of sandy soil’s particle arrangement?

A

Large spaces between particles

These spaces allow air and water to be present in sandy soil.

85
Q

True or False: Sandy soils retain water well.

A

False

Sandy soils drain water easily due to their large particle size.

86
Q

Fill in the blank: Sandy soils contain a lot of _______ and _______.

A

water and air

The large spaces between sandy soil particles allow for high air and water content.

87
Q

What happens to water in sandy soils?

A

It drains easily

The structure of sandy soil facilitates quick drainage of water.

88
Q

What are the characteristics of clay soil?

A

Clay soils have very small particles that are tightly packed, smooth and sticky texture, and small spaces between particles

Clay soils dry out and crack in hot, dry weather

89
Q

How do clay soils behave in hot, dry weather?

A

Clay soils dry out and crack

This is due to the tightly packed nature of their small particles

90
Q

What is a key feature of clay soils regarding water?

A

Clay soils absorb and hold water easily but can become waterlogged

The lack of drainage is due to the small spaces between soil particles

91
Q

What is loam soil composed of?

A

Loam soils consist of a mixture of sand and clay

This mixture creates particles of different sizes

92
Q

Describe the texture and air content of loam soil.

A

Loam soil particles are not very tightly or loosely packed, allowing air in the spaces between them

This texture supports better drainage than clay soil

93
Q

What gives loam soil its dark brown color?

A

The organic matter in loam soils

Organic matter helps retain water and provides nutrients

94
Q

Why is loam soil considered ideal for growing plants?

A

Loam soils have the best composition for growing plants due to their nutrient content and water retention capabilities

The mixture of sand and clay allows for good drainage and aeration

95
Q

Why do farmers and gardeners dig or plough the soil?

A

To mix air into the soil

Air is essential for maintaining soil composition.

96
Q

What must be done if it doesn’t rain?

A

Farmers or gardeners must water the soil

Adequate moisture is crucial for plant growth.

97
Q

What is compost?

A

Dead organic matter that provides nutrients and improves soil texture

Compost can be made from food scraps and garden waste.

98
Q

What materials can be used to make compost?

A
  • Vegetable peel
  • Egg shells
  • Over-ripe fruits
  • Bones
  • Grass cuttings
  • Leaves
  • Weeds

Keeping the compost mixture moist and warm facilitates decomposition.

99
Q

What do artificial fertilizers provide?

A

The same nutrients as organic matter

Unlike compost, they do not improve soil texture.

100
Q

What happens when farmers plant the same crop year after year?

A

The soil’s nutrients are depleted, leading to poor soil quality

This practice can also cause the soil to dry out.

101
Q

How can pesticides negatively affect the soil?

A

They can kill the organic matter in the soil

Pesticides are designed to eliminate weeds and insects but can harm beneficial soil organisms.

102
Q

What is a potential downside of using artificial fertilizers?

A

They can damage soil texture and dry out the soil

Continuous use may lead to long-term soil health issues.

103
Q

What happens if farmers do not dig and turn the soil often enough?

A

Air and organic matter are not mixed into the soil

This can lead to compaction and reduced soil health.

104
Q

Fill in the blank: Soil needs _______ to keep its composition the same.

A

air

105
Q

True or False: Compost improves the texture of the soil.

A

True

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