Rocks
Uploaded by OliviaWiggins on Apr 02, 2013
Introduction
What is a rock’s favorite ice-cream? ROCKY road!
What is a rock’s favorite song? We Will, We Will, ROCK You!
Ok, ok, all jokes aside. Would you like to learn more about rocks and minerals? If you do, come along on my fascinating journey. (In an airplane.)There are many things to see and learn about on this trip. So, pack your bag and socks because we are going to learn more about rocks!
We are turning on the oldies…Haha
Minerals are natural compounds or elements of inorganic nature. There are 92
naturally occurring elements that have specific physical properties, definite
chemical composition, and characteristic atomic structure. You can also find
between 2,000 to 2,500 minerals in the earth’s crust. Minerals are formed in a
positive response to their environment, most of them too deep for an observer.
Environments in which minerals are formed far beneath the earth’s surface are
plutonic igneous, pegmatitic, hot temperature vein, moderate temp. Vein, low
temp. Vein and a metamorphic environment. Environments in which minerals form
near the earth’s surface are groundwater, weathering, and sedimentary. Minerals
are divided into groups on the basis of their composition. About one third of
all mineral belong to the group silicates. Other groups are carbonates they
includes calcite, oxide which includes magnetite, sulfides which includes pyrite,
halides which includes halite, sulfates which includes gypsum, and
phosphateswhich eapalite the mineral belongs to. The last group is every
mineral that is a chemical element and is found their uncombined state. The
elements include copper, silver, gold, and so on.
The Rock Cycle describes the process the earth uses to recycle rocks. Yes, even rocks are recycled.
There are three basic types of rocks: igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary. The interesting part of knowing these names is that any one of the three types of rock can be changed into one of the other types.
The names of the rock types refer to the way the rocks are formed. Igneous rocks are formed from fiery molten magma. Metamorphic rocks form under intense heat and pressure. Sedimentary rocks form by weathering.
Get ready for a very rocky flight….Haha
Igneous Rocks
Igneous rocks are formed of magma, the molten form of the earth’s mantle layer. Igneous rocks can form above ground as lava spewing from volcanoes. But igneous rocks can also form below the surface. Pockets of magma get stuck in layers of the earth. As they get closer and closer to the surface, the magma slowly cools. Granite is an igneous rock that formed from a...