Types of Rocks and Minerals
A mineral is a naturally formed, inorganic solid that has a definite crystalline structure. There are two types of minerals: silicate and nonsilicate. Also, there are nonmetallic and metallic minerals. Some silicate minerals are quartz, feldspar, and Mica. Also, some nonsilicate minerals are copper, calcite, and fluorite. An igneous rock is when rock forms from hot, liquid rock, or magma that cools and solidifies. The two types of igneous rocks are intrusive and extrusive. Intrusive igneous rocks are formed when magma intrudes into surrounding rock below the Earth's surface and cools. Extrusive igneous rocks are formed from magma that erupts, or extrudes, onto the Earth's surface. Some igneous rocks are granite, rhyolite, gabbro, and basalt. Sandstone is just one type of sedimentary rock along with conglomerate, siltstone, and shale. There are three types of sedimentary rocks: organic, clastic, and chemical. Organic sedimentary rock forms from the remains of once-living plants and animals. Chemical sedimentary rock forms when minerals crystallize out of a solution, such as sea water, to become rock. Clastic sedimentary rock forms when rock or mineral fragments are cemented together. Metamorphic rocks are rocks in which the structure, texture, or composition of the rock have changed. Metamorphic rocks go through a process called metamorphism. There are two types of metamorphism and they are contact metamorphism and regional metamorphism. Metamorphism occurs when temperature and pressure inside the Earth's crust change. (Holt Science and Technology Earth Science pages 66-69, 78, 98-103, 106-107)
(Very top picture was found on http://mrsdiniz.weebly.com/science.html)
(Picture above was found on http://www.kgs.ku.edu/Extension/KGSrocks.html)
(Very top picture was found on http://mrsdiniz.weebly.com/science.html)
(Picture above was found on http://www.kgs.ku.edu/Extension/KGSrocks.html)