Rocks And Minerals Benchmark Review

What is a Mineral?• Solid• Inorganic• Naturally Occurring• Crystal Structure• Definite Chemical

Composition

• Over 4,000 minerals discovered!

• Each have a unique arrangement of atoms

Ore• A mineral that contains important

elements including metals. • Extracted through processes. One

common known process is Smelting.

Gem

• A precious or semiprecious stone when cut and polished or engraved.

Properties of Minerals • Crystal Structure

• Cleavage vs. Fracture

• Color• Streak and Luster • Hardness• Special

properties• Reaction with

Acid• Specific

Gravity• Magnetism• Taste

ROCKS!!!!!

IGNEOUS ROCKS

• Formed from volcanic activity

• The cooling of Magma/LavaIntrusive Extrusiv

e• Hardening of magma

• Slow cooling• Produces large

crystals• Coarse grained

texture(rough)

• Hardening of Lava• Fast cooling• Produces small

crystals• Fine grained

texture(smooth)

Obsidian

Granite

Sedimentary Rock

•Erosion•Deposition•Compaction•Cementation

DetritalOrganic

Chemical

3 sedimentary rock types

Sed. Rocks

*Sm or Lg particles(Smooth or Rough)

Ex. Shale, Sandstone

Sed. Living*Depends on what sed’s come from(smooth or rough)

Ex. Coal, Limestone

Evap H20 Crystallization*Depends on Crystal size (Cooling Rate)

Ex. Rock Salt, Gypsum

Fossils• Plant or animal remains

left over in a rock.• Only found in

sedimentary rocks• Would melt or burn in

igneous or metamorphic rocks

Metamorphic Rock• Igneous and Sedimentary rocks undergo

Heat, and Pressure to “Morph” into a metamorphic rock.

Foliated• Grains in rocks are

arranged in parallel layers• Distinct pattern• “Bands of colors”

Non-Foliated• Grains in rocks are

arranged randomly• No distinct pattern or

layers

Ex. Gneiss Ex. Soapstone

The Rock Cycle

GOOD LUCK!!!!

STUDY!!!!