Rocks & Minerals

Flashcards about Rocks & Minerals

Mineral

Common Earth materials that are the building blocks of rocks; Solid, Inorganic, Naturally Occurring, Definite Chemical Composition, Specific Atomic Arrangement

Rock

A solid composed of one or more types of minerals, with a range of compositions

Monomineralic

A rock made of one mineral

Polymineralic

A rock made of many minerals

Graphite

Pencil lead, lubricants

Galena

Ore of lead, batteries

Magnetite

Ore of iron, steel, magnetic

Pyrite

Ore of sulfur

Hematite

Ore of iron, jewelry

Talc

Ceramics, paper

Sulfur

Sulfuric acid

Selenite gypsum

Plaster of paris, drywall

Muscovite mica

Paint, roofing

Halite

Food additive, melts ice

Calcite

Construction materials, cement, lime

Dolomite

Building stones

Fluorite

Mineral collections, jewelry

Pyroxene

Jewelry

Amphibole

Mineral collections, jewelry

Potassium feldspar

Ceramics, glass

Plagioclase feldspar

Ceramics, glass

Olivine

Furnace bricks, jewelry

Quartz

Glass, jewelry, electronics

Garnet

Jewelry (NYS gem), abrasives

Streak

Color of a mineral's powder

Metallic Luster

Looks like shiny metal

Non-metallic Luster

Does not look like a shiny metal

Hardness

A mineral's ability to scratch or be scratched

Cleavage

Splits along a smooth, flat surface

Fracture

Breaks into pieces with uneven surfaces

Compaction

Compression of rock fragments

Cementation

The “gluing” together of rock fragments

Deposition

Dropping off of sediments

Erosion

Transportation of sediments

Weathering

Breakdown of rock material

Solidification

Hardening of liquid rock as it cools

Magma

Molten (melted) rock beneath the Earth’s surface

Lava

Melted rock on the Earth’s surface

Extrusive Rocks

Form quickly on Earth’s surface; not visible crystals

Vesicular

Has gas pockets or holes

Intrusive Rocks

Form slowly beneath Earth’s surface; visible crystals

Felsic Composition

Rich in silicon and aluminum; lighter color and lower density

Mafic Composition

Rich in iron and magnesium; darker color and higher density

Clastic/Fragmental Sedimentary Rocks

Pieces of rock material cemented together

Crystalline/Chemical Sedimentary Rocks

Seawater evaporates and a solid is left behind

Bioclastic/Organic Sedimentary Rocks

Rocks that form from the remains of living things

Metamorphic Rocks

Formed directly from any type of rock under extreme heat and pressure

Regional Metamorphism

Occurs when large areas of rock are under intense heat and pressure; associated with mountain building

Contact Metamorphism

Occurs when molten rock comes in contact with surrounding rock in a small area

Foliated Metamorphic Rocks

Visible alignment of mineral crystals

Banding

Alignment of dark and light minerals into stripes

Non-foliated Metamorphic Rocks

No visible alignment of mineral crystals