Rocks and the Rock Cycle

​alter = change

Multiple Choice

Why is the rock cycle important for understanding Earth's geology?

• Because it explains how rocks are formed, altered, and recycled

• Because it describes how plants grow

• Because it shows how water moves through the soil

• Because it explains the weather patterns

​composition = what something is made of

Multiple Choice

Which two main observations do geologists use to identify rocks?

• Texture and composition

• Color and weight

• Size and hardness

• Location and temperature

Multiple Select

Which of the following are characteristics of minerals? (There could be more than one.)

• Definite chemical composition

• Usually inorganic

• Always liquid

• Crystalline structure

​Oxygen and silicon are very abundant in Earth's crust

Multiple Choice

What makes quartz one of the most abundant minerals on Earth's crust?

• It's unique.

• Its chemical composition

• It is only found in one location

• It is always transparent

Open Ended

Describe how the rock cycle causes rocks to change from one type to another.

Multiple Choice

Which process is responsible for the formation of igneous rocks?

• Cooling and crystallization of molten lava or magma

• Compaction and cementation of sediments

• Heat and pressure applied to existing rocks

• Weathering and erosion of rocks

Open Ended

Explain how the cooling rate of magma or lava affects the crystal size in igneous rocks.

Multiple Choice

Which process is responsible for changing sediment into sedimentary rock in the rock cycle?

• Deposition, compaction, and cementation

• Melting

• Cooling and crystallization

• Weathering and erosion

Multiple Choice

What are the three main types of rocks involved in the rock cycle?

• Igneous, Sedimentary, Metamorphic

• Granite, Basalt, Limestone

• Sandstone, Shale, Marble

• Quartz, Feldspar, Mica