Physical properties of Rocks

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to the physical properties of rocks, focusing on porosity, permeability, density, and their relationships.

Porosity

A measure of the void spaces in a material.

Permeability

A measure of the ability of a material to transmit fluids.

Relationship between porosity and permeability

Both are related to the number, size, and connections of openings in the rock.

Definition of porosity

The open space in a rock divided by the total rock volume, indicating its ability to hold a fluid.

Definition of permeability

A measure of the ease of flow of a fluid through a porous solid.

Porosity vs. permeability

A rock may be porous but lack permeability if pores are not connected; vice versa is also true.

Characteristics of Louisiana subsurface sediments

Consists mostly of gravel, sand, and clay; clay is porous but not permeable, while gravel and sand are both porous and permeable.

Aquitard

A layer of sediment (like clay) that impedes the flow of water.

Density

The term for how heavy an object is for its size, often expressed in various units.

Density formula

D = m/V, where D is density, m is mass, and V is volume.