Geology chap 3.
The Earth is 4.5 billion years old, but the oldest surviving rocks only go back 4.0 billion years. However, geologists have extended the rock record by finding small zircon (ZrSiO4) crystals as old as 4.4 billion years. In which of the following rock types do geologists find these ancient zircon crystals?
Clastic sedimentary
Which of the following statements best describes extrusive igneous rocks?
Cool on the surface and have a fine-grained texture (small mineral crystals)
Which of the following terms do geologists use to describe the process whereby rocks are mechanically broken down into smaller pieces?
Physical weathering
Which of the following is NOT true regarding clay minerals?
Precipitate out of magmas.
Which of the following is an example of how chemical sedimentary rocks form?
Precipitation of dissolved ions as a water body evaporates.
What elements makeup most of the rocks in Earth's crust?
Silicon and Oxygen
Which of the following statements best describe what geologists refer to as rock-forming minerals?
The few dozen or so minerals that make up most of the rocks in Earth's crust.
Prehistoric humans used the mineral chert to make stone tools. Which of the following physical properties made chert useful for this application?
Very hard and creates sharp edges when broken
Many types of sedimentary rocks are deposited along the continental shelf. Which of the following best explains why limestones commonly form further offshore compared to other sedimentary rocks?
Water has less suspended sediment
frost-wedging
When water creeps into the cracks of rocks then freeze causing the rock to crack. This is an example of physical weathering.
Which of the following best explains how foliated metamorphic rocks form?
by increased pressure
Limestone (sedimentary) is dominated by
calcite
Which of the following type of rocks would be most susceptible to being broken down by the weathering process known as dissolution?
chemical sedimentary
Shale (sedimentary) is dominated by
clay minerals
Which of the following best explains why rocks can be used to interpret the geologic past?
different types of rocks form in different types of environments
Physical weathering causes rocks to ________, whereas chemical weathering refers to ________.
disintegrate into smaller particles by some mechanical process, the decomposition of minerals via chemical reactions
Which of the following is NOT a subatomic particle found in the nucleus of atoms?
electrons, only contain protons and neutrons
The Rock Cycle illustrates how different rock types can be transformed into other rock types. Which of the following best describes the process by which igneous rocks are transformed into sedimentary rocks?
erosion and weathering
The Rock Cycle illustrates how different rock types can be transformed into other rock types. Which of the following best describes the process by which metamorphic rocks are transformed into igneous rocks?
extreme heat
All metamorphic rocks have a foliated texture.
false
Earth's crustal rocks have a higher density compared to the Earth as a whole.
false
basalt cooling history
fast cooling, fine-grain texture, extruded on the surface
Basalt (igneous) is dominated by
feldspar and ferromagnesian minerals
Granite (igneous) is dominated by
feldspar, quartz, and micas
Which of the following is NOT a type of chemical reaction that breaks down minerals?
fusion
The Rock Cycle illustrates how different rock types can be transformed into other rock types. Which of the following best describes the process by which igneous rocks are transformed into metamorphic rocks?
heat and pressure
Which of the following best describes how metamorphic rocks form?
increased pressure and temperature
obsidian cooling history
instant cooling, glassy texture, extruded in waterbody
Which of the following best describes what happens when a sedimentary rock is heated to the point it completely melts and later re-crystallizes?
it becomes an igneous rock
When using rocks to study Earth's history, information about the surface environment is best provided by which of the following types of rock?
limestone and shale
Sandstone (sedimentary) is dominated by
quartz
Marble (metamorphic) is dominated by
recrystallized calcite
Quartzite (metamorphic) is dominated by
recrystallized quartz
Schist (metamorphic) is dominated by
recrystallized quartz and micas
Which of the following is an example of a detrital sedimentary rock?
sandstone
granite cooling history
slow cooling, coarse-grain texture, intruded below surface
All minerals have a unique combination of internal structure and chemical composition. The structure and chemistry of minerals determines what?
the physical and chemical properties of minerals
Geologists are able to study processes that form rocks here on Earth and then use this information to help interpret the geologic history of other planets.
true
The term lava is used to refer to molten rock that makes its way onto Earth's surface environment.
true