Science

Crust

The outermost layer of the Earth, composed mainly of solid rock. It is divided into continental crust (thicker and less dense) and oceanic crust (thinner and more viscous). The matter for the crust originated from the cooling and solidification of molten rock called magma.

Mantle

The middle layer located beneath the crust, composed of solid rock but with some regions behaving like a viscous fluid over long periods. The mantle's matter originated from the early Earth's formation and subsequent differentiation.

Core

The innermost layer consisting of the outer and inner core. The outer core is liquid, primarily composed of molten iron and nickel, while the inner core is solid due to high pressure. The matter for the core is believed to have originated from the collision of planetesimals during the early stages of Earth's formation.

Elements

Pure substances made of only one type of atom.

Compounds

Mixes of different elements to create a new chemical composition.

Minerals

Crystalline structures with a definite chemical composition, inorganic, naturally occurring, and solid. They are the building blocks of rocks.

Rocks

Solids made from different combined minerals and other natural materials. They do not have a similar pattern throughout.

Silicon and Oxygen

The most common elements in the Earth's crust, which make up silicate minerals, the most common minerals of the Earth's crust.

Silicates, Sulfides, Oxides, and Carbonates

Common mineral groups found in the Earth's crust.

Slow cooling

Allows larger crystals to form in minerals, while rapid cooling results in smaller crystals.

Evaporation

Leaves behind minerals from dissolved substances, with higher concentrations and slower precipitation leading to larger crystals.

Heat and pressure

Can cause minerals to recrystallize, resulting in larger crystals and reorganizing their internal structure.

Mineral

A solid, inorganic substance with a definite chemical composition, a crystalline structure, and is naturally occurring.

Arrangement of atoms

Determines the internal crystalline structure of minerals during solidification.

Hardness, magnetism, reaction to acid, color, etc.

Physical properties of minerals determined by their chemical components and arrangement.

Streak, Moh's scale of hardness, double refraction, acid reaction, fluorescence, etc.

Tests used to identify minerals based on their physical properties.

K (Potassium), Si (Silicon), O (Oxygen), CO (Carbon), Ca (Calcium), Au (Gold), S (Sulfur)

Chemical symbols for elements.

Native elements, Silicates, Carbonates, Oxides, Sulfides

The five main mineral groups.

Sedimentary, Igneous, Metamorphic

The three rock groups with distinguishing characteristics.

Mineral identification charts, Mohs hardness scale, streak plate, acid test kit

Reference documents and tools used to identify minerals in a lab setting.

Rock cycle

The process by which rocks are continuously formed, broken down, and transformed into different types through various geological processes.

Magma, Igneous rock, Weathering and Erosion, Sediment, Sedimentary rock, Burial, Deposition, Compaction, Cementation, Heat and pressure, Metamorphic rock, melting.

The processes involved in the rock cycle.