What are rocks?

Rocks are classified into three

groups:

Igneous

Sedimentary

Metamorphic
 What are rocks?

Rocks are naturally

y occurring
g solid
aggregates of minerals, or in some cases,
non-mineral solid matter.

Identity is determined by:

texture and
composition
What are rocks?
Igneous rocks
Sedimentary rocks

Lithification:
Compaction and
cementation
Metamorphic rocks
The rock cycle
 Thought questions for this chapter

1. Draw
a as simple
ped diagram
ag a to sshow
o howo ssilicon
co aand
dooxygen
yge
in silicate minerals share electrons.

2. Diopside, a pyroxene, has the formula (Ca, Mg)2Si2O6.

What does that tell you about its crystal structure and
cation substitution?

3. What pphysical
y properties
p p of sheet silicates are related to
their crystal structure?

4. There are at least eight physical properties one can use

to identify unknown minerals. Which ones are most
useful in discriminating between minerals that look
alike?
 Thought questions for this chapter

5. What geologic processes transform a sedimentary rock

into an igneous rock?

6. Which igneous
g intrusion would you
y expect
p to have a
wider contact metamorphic zone: one intruded by a
very hot magma or one intruded by a cooler magma?
Key terms and concepts
Anion and cation
Atom
Atomic mass and number
Bedding
Chemical and biochemical sediments
Cleavage and color
Contact metamorphism
Covalent bond
Crystal
y and crystal
y habit
Density
Electron
El t
Electron sharing
h i and d electron
l t transfer
t f
Erosion
Extrusive and intrusive igneous rock
Foliation
Key terms and concepts
Fracture
Hardness
Igneous rock
Ionic bond
Isotope
Lithification
Luster
Metallic bond
Metamorphic
p rock
Mineral and mineralogy
Mohs scale of hardness
N t
Neutron
Nucleus
Ore
Polymorph
Key terms and concepts

Precipitate
Proton
Regional metamorphism
Rock and rock cycle
Sediment and sedimentary rock
Siliclastic sediments
Specific gravity
Streak
Texture
Vein deposit
Weathering