Minerals, Rocks, & The Rock Cycle

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What are minerals?

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Minerals are naturally occurring, inorganic solids with a definite chemical composition and a crystalline structure.

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What are rocks?

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Rocks are solid aggregates of one or more minerals or mineraloids.

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What is the rock cycle?

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The rock cycle is the continuous process of rock formation and transformation, involving igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.

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What are igneous rocks?

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Igneous rocks are formed from the cooling and solidification of molten rock (magma or lava).

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What are sedimentary rocks?

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Sedimentary rocks are formed from the accumulation and compaction of mineral and organic particles.

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What are metamorphic rocks?

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Metamorphic rocks are formed when existing rocks are changed by heat, pressure, or chemically active fluids.

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What is the Mohs scale?

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The Mohs scale measures the hardness of minerals, ranking them from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond).

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How do fossils form in sedimentary rocks?

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Fossils form when organisms are buried by sediment, which hardens into rock over time, preserving the shape of the organism.

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What is weathering?

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Weathering is the process of breaking down rocks into smaller pieces through natural forces like wind, water, and temperature changes.

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What is erosion?

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Erosion is the process by which weathered rock and soil are moved from one location to another by wind, water, or ice.