Rocks And Minerals Test Review

Explanation
Cementation is the process of sedimentary rock formation where sediment grains are bound together by natural cements. These cements are created when water passes through rocks and soil, causing minerals to dissolve and then precipitate, acting as a glue to hold the sediment grains together. This process is essential in the formation of sedimentary rocks, as it helps to solidify loose sediment into a cohesive rock structure.

Explanation
Compaction is the process in which layers of sediments are compressed by the weight of the layers above them, leading to the formation of sedimentary rocks. As the sediments accumulate over time, the pressure from the upper layers causes the grains to become tightly packed, reducing the pore space between them. This compression expels water and air from the sediments, causing them to become more solid and cohesive. Through compaction, the sediments are transformed into solid rock, with the grains fused together by mineral cement.

Explanation
The correct answer is "foliated and non-foliated". This answer is correct because it lists the two types of metamorphic rock, which are foliated and non-foliated. The other options are just variations in the order of the words, but they still represent the same two types of rock.

Explanation
A foliated rock is a type of metamorphic rock in which the mineral grains are arranged in parallel layers or bands. This alignment of mineral grains occurs due to the intense pressure and heat that the rock undergoes during the metamorphic process. The parallel layers give the rock a distinct foliated texture, which can be observed visually. Examples of foliated rocks include slate, schist, and gneiss.

Explanation
Non-foliated metamorphic rock refers to a type of rock where the mineral grains grow and rearrange, but they generally do not form layers. This means that the rock does not exhibit any foliation, which is the preferred alignment of minerals in parallel layers. The terms "non-foliated," "nonfoliated," and "non foliated" all describe this characteristic of the rock.

Explanation
The correct answer is organic, chemical, and detrital. The three types of sedimentary rocks are classified based on their composition. Detrital rocks are formed from the accumulation of rock fragments or grains that have been weathered and transported by water, wind, or ice. Chemical rocks are formed from the precipitation of minerals from water solutions. Organic rocks are formed from the accumulation of organic remains, such as plant or animal debris. Therefore, the correct order is organic, chemical, and detrital.

Explanation
Sedimentary rocks are formed through the process of compaction and cementation of sediments. This process begins with the accumulation of sediments, such as sand, silt, and clay, which are deposited in layers over time. As more and more sediments accumulate, the weight of the overlying layers causes the sediments at the bottom to be compressed, or compacted. This compaction removes the air and water between the particles, causing them to become tightly packed. Eventually, the compacted sediments are cemented together by minerals, such as calcite or silica, which fill the spaces between the particles. This cementation solidifies the sediments, forming sedimentary rocks.

Explanation
Metamorphic rocks are formed through the process of metamorphism, which involves the transformation of existing rocks due to changes in temperature, pressure, and the presence of hot fluids. Heat causes the minerals in the rock to recrystallize and form new minerals, while pressure causes the minerals to align and rearrange themselves. The presence of hot fluids, such as water or magma, can facilitate chemical reactions and the movement of minerals, further altering the rock's composition and structure. Therefore, the correct answer includes heat, pressure, and hot fluids as the three ways in which metamorphic rocks can form.

Explanation
Lava refers to molten rock that is ejected from a volcano and flows onto the Earth's surface. It is the correct answer because it accurately describes the substance formed from the intense heat and pressure inside a volcano, which then erupts and spills out onto the surface. Lava can be extremely hot and can cause significant damage to its surroundings as it flows and solidifies.

Explanation
Magma refers to hot, melted rock beneath Earth's surface.

Explanation
The size of crystals in rocks is determined by the rate at which magma or lava cools. When magma or lava cools slowly, there is more time for the atoms to arrange themselves into a regular pattern, resulting in larger crystals. On the other hand, when magma or lava cools quickly, there is less time for the atoms to arrange themselves, leading to smaller crystals or even no crystals at all. Therefore, crystal size is dependent on the cooling rate of magma or lava.

Explanation
When magma or lava cools quickly, there is not enough time for the atoms and molecules to arrange themselves into a regular pattern, resulting in the formation of small crystals. The rapid cooling prevents the growth of larger crystals, as there is insufficient time for the atoms to move and arrange themselves into a more ordered structure. Therefore, the correct answer is small crystals.

Explanation
When magma or lava cools slowly, it allows more time for the atoms and molecules to arrange themselves in an ordered manner, leading to the formation of large crystals. Slow cooling promotes the growth of crystals because it reduces the rate at which the molten material solidifies. As a result, the atoms have more time to come together and form larger crystal structures. On the other hand, fast cooling prevents the atoms from arranging themselves in an orderly fashion, resulting in the formation of smaller crystals or even an amorphous solid.

Explanation
When magma cools super fast, there is not enough time for the atoms to arrange themselves into a regular pattern, resulting in the formation of no or few crystals. The rapid cooling prevents the growth of crystals, as the atoms are unable to align and form a solid structure. Instead, the magma solidifies into a glassy or amorphous material, lacking the organized lattice structure found in crystals. This is often observed in volcanic eruptions or when magma is rapidly quenched in water or air.

Explanation
The properties listed are commonly used to identify minerals. Hardness refers to the mineral's resistance to scratching, luster describes its appearance in reflected light, specific gravity is the ratio of its weight to the weight of an equal volume of water, streak is the color of the mineral when powdered, fracture refers to how the mineral breaks, cleavage is the tendency to break along planes of weakness, color is the visible hue of the mineral, and appearance encompasses its overall visual characteristics. These properties provide valuable information for mineral identification.

Explanation
Luster refers to the way a mineral reflects light from its surface. It can be classified as either metallic or nonmetallic. Metallic luster gives the mineral a shiny, reflective appearance similar to that of a metal, while nonmetallic luster can range from dull to glassy, pearly, or silky. The term "luster" is used to describe the visual quality of a mineral's surface and is an important characteristic used in mineral identification.

Explanation
Specific gravity is a measure of the density of a mineral compared to the density of water. It is the ratio of the mineral's weight to the weight of an equal volume of water. This measurement is used to identify and classify minerals based on their density. A specific gravity value greater than 1 indicates that the mineral is denser than water, while a value less than 1 indicates that the mineral is less dense than water. Therefore, specific gravity provides valuable information about the physical properties and composition of minerals.

Explanation
The color of a mineral when it is in powdered form is referred to as its streak. This term is used to describe the color of the mineral's powder when it is scraped across a rough surface. The streak can sometimes be different from the color of the mineral in its natural form, which is why it is an important characteristic for mineral identification.

Explanation
Fracture is a physical property of some minerals that causes them to break with uneven, rough, or jagged surfaces. This means that when these minerals are subjected to external forces, they do not break along smooth, flat planes like minerals with cleavage do. Instead, they break in a more random and irregular manner, creating surfaces that are rough and uneven. Fracture can be caused by various factors such as the arrangement of atoms within the mineral's crystal structure or the presence of impurities.

Explanation
Cleavage is a physical property of some minerals that causes them to break along smooth, flat surfaces. This property is a result of the internal arrangement of atoms within the mineral's crystal structure. When a mineral with cleavage is subjected to stress, it tends to break along planes of weakness, resulting in flat and smooth surfaces. Cleavage can occur in different directions and with varying degrees of ease, depending on the mineral. It is an important characteristic used in mineral identification and can provide valuable information about a mineral's crystal structure and composition.

Explanation
The question is asking about the characteristic of a mineral, specifically its color. The correct answer is "color," as it directly addresses the question.

Explanation
The question is asking for the term that describes what a mineral looks like. The term "appearance" fits this description as it refers to the visual characteristics or physical qualities of an object. In the context of minerals, appearance can include factors such as color, luster, transparency, and crystal shape.

Explanation
The purpose of the Mohs hardness scale is to classify minerals based on their hardness. Hardness is a measure of a mineral's resistance to scratching or abrasion. The scale, developed by Friedrich Mohs, consists of ten minerals arranged in order of increasing hardness. By comparing the ability of a mineral to scratch another mineral, its hardness can be determined and classified accordingly. This scale is widely used in geology and mineralogy to identify and differentiate minerals based on their hardness properties.

Explanation
The numbers on the scale indicate the hardness level of the mineral. The hardness level is a measure of the mineral's resistance to scratching or abrasion. The scale typically used for this purpose is the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, which ranges from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest). By determining the hardness level of a mineral, one can gain insights into its durability and potential uses.