16.rocks and minerals

Rocks are found on the mountains, hills, and in valleys.

They are also found under rivers and seas. Rocks are of many kinds. Rocks are of many colours like white, black,

red, and grey.

Rocks are usually hard. Granite is a very hard rock. It is used to make

floor tiles. Marble is also a hard rock. It is used for making

buildings, statues and floors. The Taj Mahal in Agra is built of white marble.

Sandstone is also a hard rock. It is not as hard as granite or marble. The Red Fort in Delhi is made of red sand stone.

Some rocks are soft. Coal, Chalk and Slate are soft stones.

Chalk

Marble

Granite Sandstone

Coal

Slate

All rocks are made up of minerals. Minerals are of different colours, shapes and sizes. Many things that we use every day are made of

minerals. Iron is used to make nails. Silica is used to make mirrors. Silica is used to make glass. Tungsten is used in light bulbs. China clay is used to make flower vases. Quartz is used in watches. Talc is used to make talcum powder. Graphite is used as the ‘lead’ of a pencil.

Iron

Quartz

ChinaClay

Talcum Powder

Silica

Gemstones are very hard minerals. These are cut in various shapes and polished. Polished gemstones are very beautiful. These are used commonly in jewellery. Talc is the softest mineral. Diamond is the hardest mineral.

Ruby

Emerald