Charles John S.

Garcia
BSAG-1101 ANSCI

Identification: Answer and review the following.

1. __ Carbonation________ The reaction of carbonic acid (H2CO3) with a mineral to produce

a more soluble product

2. ___ Chemical Weathering_ Involves change in the chemical structure and composition of

rocks and minerals which results into simpler products.

3. ___Secondary minerals____ Arise from the chemical breakdown of the least resistant primary

minerals.

4. ___ Weathering______ The group of processes whereby rocks on exposure to the

weather change in character, decay and finally crumble into soil.

5. __ Extrusive (volcanic) formation_ Happens when the magma is ejected out of the earth’s crust

through volcanic eruption and solidifies on the surface.

6. ____ Solution_________ The dissolution of minerals through the solvent action of H2CO3

or H+ ions which results into the separation or dissociation of component cations.

7. __Minerals_______ Serves as building block of rocks.

8. ____ Hydrolysis______ A chemical weathering process where hematite is transformed

to limonite

9. ___ Hydration_______ It involves the reaction of water with the mineral but not leading

to the destruction of the chemical structure; the result is a rigid attachment or association with a water
molecule.

10.__ Granite and diorite_ Igneous rocks that are lighter in color due to the high proportion

of light-colored minerals such as feldspar and muscovite.

11.___ Shale__________ A sedimentary rock that is made up of fine particles of clay which

become consolidated after deposition in bodies of water

12.___ Hydrolysis_____ What is the chemical weathering involved in this sample process:

2Fe2O3 + 3HOH → 2Fe2O3.3H2O

(solid) (liquid) (solid)

(Hematite) (Red) (Limonite) (Yellow)

13.__ Primary Minerals___ Hornblende and augite are examples of this mineral group.

14. Primary Minerals ________ They are formed at temperatures and/or pressure higher than

that normally encountered at the earth surface.

15.___ Petrology________ The study of rocks.

16.___ Mineralogy_______ The study of minerals and their properties.

17.__Intrusive (plutonic) formation_____ It happens when magma solidifies within the earth’s crust.

18.__Physical Weathering_____ Breaking up of rocks and minerals into smaller pieces without

any drastic alteration of their chemical composition

19.__ Disintegration (physical/ mechanical) __ It results in a decrease in size of rocks and minerals
without

appreciably affecting their composition.

20.__Metamorphosis_______ This change occurs in rock when they are heated to 300 to 700

degrees Celsius
II. Completion

1. Complete and explain the processes involved I rock cycle. Use the figure below for your

answers.

ROCK CYCLE

Lava/Magma

MELTING COOLING

HEAT AND PRESSURE

Metamorphic Rock Igneous Rock

WEATHERING AND TRANSPORT

HEAT AND PRESSURE WEATHERING AND TRANSPORT

WEATHERING AND TRANSPORT

Sedimentary Rock Sediments

COMPACTION AND CEMENTATION
The rock cycle, illustrated below, portrays how the three major rock types igneous,
sedimentary, and metamorphic convert from one to another. Arrows connecting the rock types
represent the cycles that achieve these changes. Rocks change as a result of natural processes
that are taking place all the time. Most changes happen gradually. Rocks deep within the Earth
are right now becoming other types of rocks. Rocks at the surface are lying in place before they
are next exposed to a process that will change them. Even at the surface, we may not notice
the changes. The rock cycle has no beginning or end. The rock cycle never stops.
First, we see the magma that is being pushed up toward the crust. Some of the magma creeps
into the cracks of the volcano. While, the rest is forced out of the top of the volcano. Once the
magma is out of the volcano, it is called lava. The lava cools and forms igneous rocks. Then
some of the igneous rocks roll down the mountain formed by the volcanoes and eventually end
up in the ocean. As they roll, pieces and bits of the volcanic rocks are broken and structure
sediments. Layer after layer of sediments is pressed and cemented together forming
sedimentary rocks. Some of sedimentary rocks on the very bottom get hot because of the
pressure and change to metamorphic rock. When metamorphic rock is buried deeper, it gets
hotter and melt. Indeed, it becomes magma and may ultimately be pushed up and out of a
spring of gushing lava. The rock cycles begin all over again.
ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES

1. Provide a brief discussion of the following facts about rocks and minerals. You may access
to different references like books and internet for your data.
a. Quartz is a mineral because it is natural, inorganic, and has a crystalline structure.
- Quartz is a chemical compound consisting of one part silicon and two parts oxygen. It is
silicon dioxide (SiO2). It is the most abundant mineral found at Earth's surface, and its unique
properties make it one of the most useful natural substances.
b. Granite is a rock because it is made up of several minerals.

- Granite is a light-colored igneous rock with grains large enough to be visible with the

unaided eye. It forms from the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface. Granite is
composed mainly of quartz and feldspar with minor amounts of mica, amphiboles, and
other minerals. This mineral composition usually gives granite a red, pink, gray, or white color
with dark mineral grains visible throughout the rock.

c. Materials that settle out of water are known as sediments.

- The solid particles that settle down during sedimentation are called sediments. The process
of pouring out the clear upper liquid without disturbing the sediments is called decantation.
The liquid above the sediments is called a supernatant. A mixture of sand and water can also be
separated by sedimentation and decantation.
d. A rock made up of cemented sand grains is sandstone.
- A sedimentary rock composed of sand-sized particles (1/16 to 2 millimeters in diameter).

e. The elements that occur most frequently in the earth's crust are silicon and oxygen.
- Together, the elements oxygen and silicon make up most of the Earth’s crust including
silicate minerals such as quartz and feldspar. 

f. Magma that cools slowly beneath the earth's surface produces intrusive igneous rocks.

- Igneous rocks form after cooling and solidifying from magma or lava. So, when molten rock
cools, they turn into solid material and become igneous rocks. First, you have to understand
the difference between lava and magma. And it’s all about location. For a volcano when it’s
deep inside the Earth, it’s magma. Once it erupts, it’s lava. Then, it cools and solidifies. But it
matters where it cools and solidifies.

g. Heat and pressure can change slate to the metamorphic rock schist. Gneiss is
probably formed when more heat and pressure act on schist?
- Heat can come from the compressive force of gravity, friction between tectonic plates or
radioactivity. Pressure builds as rock is buried, and more rock piles on top of it. Direct pressure
from tectonic plates also occurs. Chemical fluids like water circulate as heat is applied to rocks,
and ions are exchanged between the fluid and the rock. Part of the EASP Geology
Walk Gneiss is a metamorphic rock formed by changing schist, granite, or volcanic rocks
through intense heat and pressure. Gneiss is foliated, which means that it has layers of lighter
and darker minerals. These layers are of different densities and come about as a result of the
intense pressure used to form gneiss.
2. What is the softest mineral on earth? the hardest mineral? provide a discussion about the
two minerals including their characteristics/ properties.
- There are many minerals in this world. Some minerals are the hardest and some are the
softest. But Talc is the softest mineral on the earth and Diamonds have been established to be
the hardest minerals on earth. The Mohs scale outlines the softest and hardest minerals on
earth. The scale is named after its inventor, Friedrich Mohs, a renowned 19th-century German
mineralogist who introduced the scale in 1812. Talc is usually green, white, gray, brown, or
colorless. Talc is a naturally occurring mineral, mined from the earth, composed of magnesium,
silicon, oxygen, and hydrogen. Chemically, talc is a hydrous magnesium silicate with a chemical
formula of Mg3Si4O10(OH)2. Talc is an ingredient used in many cosmetics, from baby powder to
blush. From time to time, FDA has received questions about its safety and whether talc contains
harmful contaminants, such as asbestos. Diamond is the hardest element formed, due to high
temperature and pressure for billions of years. Diamonds are ranked as a number 10 on the
Moh’s scale. The hardness of a diamond is mainly due to the molecular structure of the
diamond. Every pure diamond is formed up of only carbon atoms which are strongly bonded to
each other through strong covalent bonds. Four carbon atoms are bonded to each other in a
tetrahedral form in which one of the atoms shares the electron. Pure natural diamonds are so
hard that it can only be cut or scratched by other diamond. While diamond cutting, a diamond
saw is used to cut the diamond because no other element can cut the diamond.
3. Reflection: Why do we need to study rocks and minerals in soil science?
- Rocks and minerals are important for learning about earth materials, structure, and
systems. Studying these natural objects incorporates an understanding of earth science,
chemistry, physics, and math. The study of rocks and minerals is known as geology. We study
them because it helps us understand many things like how the earth was formed, how to safely
build buildings, the earth's natural chemistry, etc.