Unit 3: Rocks and Minerals

Physical Properties

the characteristics of a substance that can be observed or measured without changing the substance

Inorganic

Not formed from living things or the remains of living things

Mineral

a naturally occurring, inorganic solid that has a crystal structure and a definite chemical composition

Streak

the color of the powder of a mineral

Hardness

a measure of the ability of a mineral to resist scratching

Clarity

describes how well you can see through a chemical. (Transparent, Translucent, Opaque.)

Luster

the way a mineral reflects light from its surface (Metallic, waxy, vitreous, silky, pearly, and dull)

Vitreous

Glass like appearance

Cleavage

the tendency of a mineral to break along flat surfaces

Fracture

the way a mineral looks when it breaks apart in an irregular way

Texture

the look and feel of a rock's surface

Crystallization

The process by which atoms are arranged to form a material with a crystal structure

Igneous rock

rock that forms when magma cools and solidifies

Metamorphic rock

rock that has been changed by heat and pressure

Sediments

Loose materials such as rock fragments, mineral grains, and bits of shell that have been moved by wind, water, ice, or gravity

Sedimentary rock

A type of rock that forms when particles from other rocks or the remains of plants and animals are pressed and cemented together

Pressure

the amount of force exerted per unit area of a surface

Rock cycle

A series of processes on the surface and inside Earth that slowly changes rocks from one kind to another

Weathering

The breaking down of rocks and other materials on the Earth's surface.

Fossil

The preserved remains or traces of an organism that lived in the past

Compaction

the process by which sediments are pressed together under their own weight

Cementation

The process by which dissolved minerals crystallize and glue particles of sediment together into one mass.

Mantle

The layer of hot, solid material between Earth's crust and core.

Erosion

The process by which wind, water, ice, or gravity transports soil and sediment from one location to another

Deposition

The process by which sediments settles out of water or wind that is carrying it and is deposited in a new area

Crust

The layer of rock that forms Earth's outer surface.

Outer Core

A layer of molten iron and nickel that surrounds the inner core of Earth

Inner Core

A dense sphere of solid iron and nickel at the center of Earth