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Name: _________________ Grade & Section: _______________ Date: ___________

Topic: Minerals and Rocks

Learning Competencies: Classify rocks into igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic (S11/12ESIb-10).
What you are expected to learn?
After going through this worksheet, you should be able to:
1. Classify and describe the three basic rock types.
2. Establish relationships between rock types and the origin and environment
of deposition/formation.
3. Understand the different geologic processes involved in rock formation.
Concept:
Rock types, their mode of origin, and their environments of deposition/formation are interrelated since rocks
are either deposited or formed based on their environment and mode of origin. However, the process of rock formation
and the environment in which this process took places cannot be detected. This is due to the fact that magma when
solidifies are often out of sight beneath the earth’s surface. Likewise, the pressure and the temperature that causes
metamorphism are not apparent.

The three main types, or classes, of rock are sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous and the differences
among them have to do with how they are formed.

Igneous
Igneous rocks are formed when magma (molten rock deep within the earth) cools and hardens. Sometimes the
magma cools inside the earth, and other times it erupts onto the surface from volcanoes (in this case, it is called lava).
When lava cools very quickly, no crystals form and the rock looks shiny and glasslike. Sometimes gas bubbles are
trapped in the rock during the cooling process, leaving tiny holes and spaces in the rock. Examples of this rock type
include basalt and obsidian.
Igneous rocks are rock types that are formed by solidification of molten rock materials. Solidification involves
the formation of crystalline solids known as minerals. Molten rock materials may solidify below the earth’s surface
which forms plutonic igneous rocks and at the earth’s surface which forms volcanic igneous rocks. Igneous rocks are
classified based on their silica contents and amount of potassium, sodium, iron, magnesium, and calcium. They can be
grouped into: felsic (light colored), intermediate (medium colored), mafic (dark colored), and ultramafic (very dark
colored) which is based on their mineral contents.

Sedimentary
Sedimentary rocks are formed from particles of sand, shells, pebbles, and other fragments of material.
Together, all these particles are called sediment. Gradually, the sediment accumulates in layers and over a long period
of time hardens into rock. Generally, sedimentary rock is fairly soft and may break apart or crumble easily. You can
often see sand, pebbles, or stones in the rock, and it is usually the only type that contains fossils.
Examples of this rock type include conglomerate and limestone.
Sedimentary rocks are rock types formed through the accumulation, cementation of sediments, and
compaction. Sedimentary rocks form at surface or near surface conditions. They can be classified as classic and non –
classic. Cement, grains, and matric falls under the classic sedimentary rocks while bioclastics, evaporites, and
precipitates are types of non – classic sedimentary rocks.

Metamorphic
Metamorphic rocks are formed under the surface of the earth from the metamorphosis (change) that occurs
due to intense heat and pressure (squeezing). The rocks that result from these processes often have ribbonlike layers
and may have shiny crystals, formed by minerals growing slowly over time, on their surface.
Examples of this rock type include gneiss and marble.
Metamorphic rocks are rock types that are formed through the transformation of pre- existing igneous,
metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks through the process known as metamorphism. Metamorphism involves changes
in the chemical and physical properties of rocks as a result of exposures to heat, pressure, and/or chemically active
fluids. Metamorphic rocks can be foliated and non – foliated.
Several processes can turn one type of rock into another type of rock. The key processes of the rock cycle are
crystallization, erosion and sedimentation, and metamorphism.
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Crystallization
Magma cools either underground or on the surface and hardens into an igneous rock. As the magma cools,
different crystals form at different temperatures, undergoing crystallization. For example, the mineral olivine
crystallizes out of magma at much higher temperatures than quartz. The rate of cooling determines how much time the
crystals will have to form. Slow cooling produces larger crystals.
Erosion and Sedimentation
Weathering wears rocks at the Earth’s surface down into smaller pieces. The small fragments are called
sediments. Running water, ice, and gravity all transport these sediments from one place to another by erosion. During
sedimentation, the sediments are laid down or deposited. In order to form a sedimentary rock, the accumulated
sediment must become compacted and cemented together.
Metamorphism
When a rock is exposed to extreme heat and pressure within the Earth but does not melt, the rock becomes
metamorphosed. Metamorphism may change the mineral composition and the texture of the rock. For that reason, a
metamorphic rock may have a new mineral composition and/or texture.

Activity 1. Quiz
Instruction. Answer the following questions precisely and briefly.
1. What processes must a metamorphic rock go through to become an igneous rock?
2. What are the three major types of rocks?
3. What do wind and water do to rocks at the surface?
4. How are sedimentary rocks formed?
5. What must happen to a rock for it to become a metamorphic rock?
6. When a rock becomes metamorphic does it look the same as it did originally?
7. What must happen for an igneous rock to form?
8. What happens when magma cools either underground or on the surface and hardens?
9. What processes must a sedimentary rock go through to become a metamorphic rock?
10. What types of rocks can become sedimentary rocks and how does that happen?