Rocks and Minerals

What is a rock?

• A rock is made up of 2 or more minerals.

• All rocks are made of minerals.

• There are 3 types of rocks:– Sedimentary– Metamorphic– Igneous

What is a mineral?

• The same all the way through.

3 Types of Rocks

• Sedimentary

• Metamorphic

• Igneous

Sedimentary

– Made up of layers of material called sediment. (Like pages of a book)

– Result of pressure.– Usually formed at the

bottom of streams, rivers, lakes and ponds.

– Examples are sandstone and shale.

Metamorphic

• These are rocks that have changed in some way due to movement in the earth.

• Happens through heat and pressure.

• “morph” means change.

Marble-changed limestone

Igneous

• Made from fire and heat.

• Made from cooled magma or lava from volcanoes.

Rock Cycle

• Each type of rock changes over time and becomes a new rock through erosion, earth movement and extreme heat.

Erosion

• When rocks are broken apart into smaller pieces due to weathering.(water, wind, temperature)

Fossils

• The remains of ancient animals and plants.

• Has to be at least 10,000 years old.

• Most common fossils are bone, teeth, claws and footprints.

• 4 types:– Mold, cast, trace, true form

Properties and Characteristics

• Rocks and minerals can be classified based on different properties.

• Examples of these properties are:– Color– Luster- How shiny is it?– Texture- How does it feel?– Size– Weight– Hardness– Cleavage- How does it break apart?

Fluorescent Minerals

Fluorescence-

Property of producing

light.

How are rocks and minerals used?

• Rocks and minerals are used in a variety of ways.

• Examples include:– Building materials– Machines– Food– Decorations– Jewelry