Lecture 5: Minerals and Rocks

This flashcard set explores fundamental geologic concepts, including the Rock Cycle, minerals, and the classification of rocks. It covers Igneous Rocks, Sedimentary Rocks, Metamorphic Rocks, and Bowen’s Reaction Series, providing clear definitions and key characteristics to help you understand the formation, classification, and transformation of rocks and minerals in the Earth's crust.

Minerals

Naturally occurring, inorganic solids with a specific chemical composition and a crystalline structure, typically formed by geological processes.

Physical Properties

Characteristics like color, streak, luster, specific gravity, crystal habit, cleavage, and fracture used to identify minerals.

Silicates

Most abundant minerals in Earth's crust, containing silicon and oxygen combined with elements like aluminum, iron, magnesium, or potassium.

Mohs Hardness Scale

Scale from 1 to 10 measuring mineral hardness based on scratch resistance.

Igneous Rocks

Formed from the cooling and solidification of molten magma or lava.

Bowen’s Reaction Series

Describes the sequence of mineral crystallization as magma cools.

Sedimentary Rocks

Formed from the accumulation, compaction, and cementation of sediments, providing insights into Earth's history.

Metamorphic Rocks

Formed from the alteration of existing rocks through heat, pressure, and chemical processes, resulting in new mineralogical features.

Foliation

Planar alignment of metamorphic minerals due to differential stress, creating rocks like schist and gneiss.

The Rock Cycle

Describes the interrelated processes through which rocks transform between igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic forms.