What Is A Rock?
A rock is a naturally occurring solid aggregate composed of one or more minerals. A rock will fall into one of three classifications according to its origin. These three classifications are Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic.
Igneous Rocks:
The word igneous comes from the Latin word for "fire". All Igneous rock forms when molten rock from deep within the earth cools and solidifies. Liquid rock is called magma when it is still inside the earth. Once expelled through volcanoes, it is called lava. At least 700 different types of igneous rock have been discovered so far. They include Granite, Obsidian, Basalt, Andesite, and Rhyolite to name a few. Igneous rock makes up approximately 95% of the upper Earth's crust, but this is hidden by a relatively thin layer of sedimentary and metamorphic rock.
Sedimentary Rocks:
Sedimentary rocks are those formed from the cementing, compacting, and hardening of fragments of pre-existing rocks, pebbles, gravel, sand, and clay. This process is known as Lithification. It can also contain the remains of plants and tiny marine animals. Sedimentary rocks can sometimes be distinguished by their visible layers, called beds or strata. Examples of Sedimentary rocks include Limestone, Sandstone, Shale, Conglomerate, Chert, and Gypsum. Sedimentary rocks cover 75 percent of the earth’s surface but make up less than 5 percent of the entire Earth.
Metamorphic Rock:
Metamorphic comes from the Greek words meaning, "Change in form". Metamorphism is the alteration of pre-existing rock due to reactions from heat and pressure while remaining in a solid form. This alteration occurs when bonds between atoms in a mineral break and rearrange themselves into new, more stable, mineral forms. These changes include Limestone altering into Marble, Shale into Slate, and Sandstone into Quartzite.
The Rock Cycle:
The rock cycle is an illustration used to explain how the three rock types, through earth processes, change from one type of rock into another. Forces within the earth push rocks to the surface, where they are weathered, eroded, and compacted. Forces on the earth push them down, where they are heated, compressed, and melted. The elements that make up rocks are never created or destroyed, just altered. The rock cycle is a never-ending process of change.
What Is A Mineral?
Minerals are naturally occurring substances found in rocks, dirt, and water. A mineral is a solid substance with a crystalline structure and inorganic in nature. It must also be of a specific element or chemical compound. Coal is a substance formed from decayed plants and animals (organic); therefore, coal is not considered a mineral. Some minerals, such as gold or silver, consist of only one element. Others, such as quartz and calcite, consist of a combination of two or more elements. A rock, by comparison, is a mixture of minerals and may not have a specific chemical composition. Over 4,000 different minerals have been discovered to date. Some of the more common minerals include: Quartz, the most abundant mineral in the Earth's continental crust, is generally colorless or white. Feldspar, which is abundant in igneous rock, gives Granite its pink, green or gray color. Calcite, which is made from shells of marine organisms, is usually white or clear, and Magnetite, which is a source of iron ore and black in color.
What is an element?
Elements are the basic building blocks of all chemical matter. They are a pure chemical substance that cannot be broken down, or changed, into another substance by the use of chemical means. Examples of elements are Hydrogen, Carbon, Nitrogen, and Oxygen.
What is an alloy?
An alloy is a combination of two or more elements, at least one of which is a metal, usually fused together when molten. Brass, Bronze, and Steel are all alloys.
You will have to visit these waypoints.
WP 1. N44 31.000 W88 01.121
WP 2. N44 31.035 W88 01.131
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1. Which WP is an igneous type of rock?
2. Which WP is a sedimentary type of rock?
3. Which WP contains the mineral Feldspar?