minerals & rocks

Question 1

minerals

Answer 1

An element or chemical compound that is normally crystalline and is formed as the result of geologic processes

Question 2

isotopes

Answer 2

Atoms of the same element having the same number of protons in the nucleus, but differing number of neutrons

Question 3

atoms

Answer 3

The smallest part of a chemical element that can take part in a chemical reaction or combine with another element

Question 4

what are the different types of chemical bonding?

Answer 4

Ionic, Covalent, Metallic, Van der Waals

Question 5

compare intrusive & extrusive igneus rocks

Answer 5

intrusive: crystalized below the earth’s surface through a slow cooling process, resulting in a rough, grainy exterior
extrusive: crystalized on or near the earth’s surface through a rapid cooling process, resulting in a smooth and shiny exterior

Question 6

what is a rock

Answer 6

an aggregate of a mineral or minerals

Question 7

describe the rock cycle

Answer 7

igneous rocks are formed when magma hardens, and sedimentary rocks are a result of the deposition of materials, and metamorphous rocks are formed with pressure.
through weathering, uplift, and many other natural processes, rocks can move from one category to another and are always changing
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fs-ink.org%2Frock-cycle&psig=AOvVaw1V3eXu_Q8Ry4qeTs5Qx-LL&ust=1708623551877000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBMQjRxqFwoTCNii2vD8vIQDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE

Question 8

major rock types & their characteristics

Answer 8

• sedimentary: formed at the surface from environmental conditions, and they are transported, deposited, and lithified. They are classified based on how they are held together.
• igneous: cooled, crystalized from magma, they record Earth’s thermal cooling history and are classified based on their texture and composition
• metamorphous: heat, pressure, and chemical fluids change texture of pre-existing rocks and these rocks are categorized by how the minerals arrange themselves.

Question 9

3 major rock laws

Answer 9

• law of original horizontality: sediments are basically horizontal when deposited
• law of superposition: if not overturned, oldest rocks are on the bottom and younger are on the top
• law of crosscutting relationships: the rock is younger than anything it cuts, because whatever it cuts was already there

Question 10

what is acid mine drainage, where does it occur, and what causes it?

Answer 10

acid mine drainiage is acidic water with high concentrations of dissolved metals draning from coal or metal mines. it occurs in much of the Appalacians and is caused by sulfide minerals come into contact with oxygen-rich water near the surface, forming sulfuric acid. this water often comes from mines and finds its way into larger bodies of water

Question 11

how does volcanism affect rocks?

Answer 11

volcanism produces primary, igneous rocks

Question 12

what are the different types of minerals and what are their characteristics?

Answer 12

• silicates: most abundant of rock-forming minerals
• oxides: mineral compounds that link oxygen with one or more metallic elements
• halides: minerals made up of weak ionic bonds
• carbonates: compounds or minerals containing CO(3), frequently used in buildings and easily weathered
• sulfides: minerals strongly associated with environmental degradation
• native elements: sought-after minerals often found in small accumulations (gold, diamonds, etc). due to mining their environmental impact is large

Question 13

what is weathering and how does it occur?

Answer 13

the breaking apart or chemical decomposition of materials at or near the surface. it can be physical, through breakage or chemical, as materials dissolve due to chemical reactions.