Understanding the Rock Cycle

What is the primary difference between a rock and a mineral?

• Rocks are composed of one or more minerals, while minerals are naturally occurring inorganic substances.

• Minerals are composed of one or more rocks, while rocks are naturally occurring inorganic substances.

• Rocks are always metallic, while minerals are always non-metallic.

• Minerals are always larger than rocks.

Which of the following is an example of an igneous rock?

• Limestone

• Granite

• Slate

• Sandstone

What process is primarily responsible for the formation of sedimentary rocks?

• Melting

• Cooling and solidification

• Compaction and cementation

• Metamorphism

Which type of rock is formed under high pressure and temperature conditions but does not melt?

• Igneous

• Sedimentary

• Metamorphic

• Volcanic

During the rock cycle, what process transforms sedimentary rock into metamorphic rock?

• Erosion

• Melting

• Heat and pressure

• Weathering

Which of the following processes is involved in the formation of igneous rocks?

• Erosion and deposition

• Melting and solidification

• Weathering and compaction

• Heat and pressure

What is the term for the process by which rocks are broken down into smaller pieces by natural forces?

• Metamorphism

• Erosion

• Weathering

• Cementation

Which of the following is a characteristic of metamorphic rocks?

• They have a glassy texture.

• They contain fossils.

• They have a foliated or banded appearance.

• They are formed from lava.

What is the main agent of erosion that contributes to the rock cycle?

• Wind

• Water

• Ice

• All of the above

Which of the following best describes the rock cycle?

• A linear sequence of events that forms rocks.

• A circular process that recycles rocks through various forms.

• A process that only forms sedimentary rocks.

• A process that only occurs on the ocean floor.