Minerals, Rocks, and the Rock Cycle

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What is a mineral?

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A naturally occurring, non-living solid that can be made up of one element or a compound of elements, with a specific chemical make-up and consistent characteristics.

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What is a rock?

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A solid material composed of one or more minerals or mineraloids.

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What is the rock cycle?

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The continuous process of rock formation and transformation, including the processes of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock formation.

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What are metamorphic rocks?

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Rocks that have been changed from one type to another due to heat, pressure, or chemically active fluids.

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What is the role of a geologist?

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A scientist who studies rocks, minerals, and the processes that shape the Earth.

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What does the term 'igneous' refer to?

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Rocks that are formed from cooled magma or lava.

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What is sediment?

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Small particles of rock, minerals, or organic material that can accumulate and form sedimentary rocks.

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What is hardness in minerals?

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A measure of how resistant a mineral is to scratching, often determined by the Mohs scale.

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What is luster in minerals?

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The way a mineral reflects light, which can be described as metallic, glassy, dull, etc.

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What is streak in mineral identification?

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The color of the powder left when a mineral is scraped across a hard surface.