Rocks and Minerals Study Notes
LITHIFICATION – A SEDIMENTARY ROCKS ARE FORMED BY
THE PROCESS OF CEMENTATION, COMPACTION AND
CONSOLIDATIONS OF SEDIMENTS
Types of Rocks
1. Igneous Rocks
- Formed from the cooling and solidification of magma.
- Classified by silica content:
- Acidic Rocks : More than 65% silica, light-colored, less dense.
- Basic Rocks : Less than 55% silica, dark-colored, denser.
2. Sedimentary Rocks
- Formed through lithification processes: cementation, compaction, and
consolidation of sediments.
- Types: - Clastic (Mechanically Formed) : Made from cemented
small pieces of broken rocks. Examples: sandstone, breccia.
Feature Minerals Rocks
Chemical composition Define chemical No define chemical
composition compositions
Appearance Usually same colour Varies in shape color
shape or texture texture
Composition Made up of chemicals Made up of minerals
Organic Matter Do not contain organic May contain organic
matter matter
- Chemically Formed : Created when water evaporates, leaving
dissolved minerals. Examples: rock salt, limestone. -
Organically Formed : Result from the lithification of organic materials.
Examples: coal (carbonaceous), limestone (calcareous).
3. Metamorphic Rocks
- Formed from existing rocks undergoing transformation due to heat and
pressure.
Importance of rocks
Economic Importance
- Source of metallic ores (iron, aluminum).
- Extraction of nonmetals.
- Fossil fuels (coal, petroleum).
- Precious/semi-precious stones (diamonds, rubies).
- Construction materials (marble, granite).
- Artistic materials (sculptures).
Non-Economic Importance
- Soil formation supports vegetation, maintaining ecological balance.
- Fossiliferous sedimentary rocks help study Earth's geological history.
Key Concepts
- Rock Cycle : The continuous process where rocks transform from one
type to another (igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic) through various
geological processes.
- Metamorphic : Means "change in form".
- Parent Rocks : Igneous rocks are called parent rocks as they are the
original source of other rock types.
Exam Questions
1. Fill in the blanks :
- Rocks are made up of minerals .
- Sedimentary rocks are also known as sediments .
- Magma cools and solidifies to form igneous rocks.
- Igneous rocks are less susceptible to wear and tear.
2. List two features of a mineral :
- Definite chemical composition.
- Usually consistent color, shape, or texture.
3. Explain the rock cycle :
- The rock cycle describes the transformations between igneous,
sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks through processes like melting,
cooling, erosion, and pressure.
4. What does the term metamorphic mean? :
- It refers to rocks that have changed from one form to another due to
heat and pressure.
5. Why are igneous rocks called parent rocks? :
- They are the original rocks from which other rock types can form
through processes like weathering, erosion, and metamorphism.
6. Which is the most abundant rock on Earth’s surface? :
- Igneous rocks, particularly basalt, are the most abundant.
7. Explain the significance of rocks with examples :
- Rocks are vital for various industries (construction, energy) and for
understanding Earth's history. For instance, limestone is used in cement,
while coal is a major energy source.
8. Analyze the difference between granite and marble :
- Granite: An igneous rock, usually light-colored, composed mainly of
quartz and feldspar. It is hard and durable.
- Marble: A metamorphic rock formed from limestone, typically has a
more uniform texture and can be polished, often used for sculptures and
decorative purposes.
9. Explain the formation of extrusive igneous rocks :
- Formed from lava that cools quickly on the Earth's surface, resulting in
fine-grained textures (e.g., basalt).
10. Explain the formation of intrusive igneous rocks :
- Formed from magma that cools slowly beneath the Earth's surface,
leading to coarse-grained textures (e.g., granite).