Earth Processes and Rock Cycle

Front

What is a rock?

Back

A rock or stone is a naturally occurring solid aggregate of one or more minerals.

Front

What are rock-forming minerals?

Back

Rock-forming minerals are the most common and abundant minerals in Earth’s crust, serving as the building blocks of rocks.

Front

What are the characteristics that classify minerals in geology?

Back

1. Naturally occurring 2. Inorganic 3. Solid 4. Crystalline structure 5. Chemical formula

Front

What is the Mohs Scale of Hardness?

Back

A scale that ranks minerals based on their hardness from 1 (Talc) to 10 (Diamond).

Front

What is the difference between cleavage and fracture in minerals?

Back

Cleavage is the tendency of a mineral to break along flat surfaces, while fracture occurs when a mineral breaks without a cleavage plane.

Front

What is specific gravity in relation to minerals?

Back

Specific gravity is the ratio of the mass of a mineral to the mass of an equal volume of water, indicating its density.

Front

What are the main types of weathering?

Back

1. Physical (mechanical) weathering 2. Chemical weathering

Front

What is lithification?

Back

Lithification is the process of turning sediments into sedimentary rocks through compaction and cementation.

Front

What are the two main types of sedimentary rocks?

Back

1. Clastic (detrital) sedimentary rocks 2. Chemical sedimentary rocks

Front

What is metamorphism?

Back

Metamorphism is the process where pre-existing rocks are subjected to higher pressures and temperatures, transforming them into metamorphic rocks without melting.