Rocks and Minerals

Identifying rocks and minerals

Rocks

Naturally occurring aggregate of

minerals
Lithosphere (Earths crust made of
rocks)
Three main types igneous,
metamorphic and sedimentary
Petrology is the scientific study of
rocks.
Does not have a fixed chemical
composition.

Igneous Rocks
Crystallise from molten material either
above (volcanic) or below (plutonic) the
Earths surface
Characterised by interlocking crystals
Volcanic rocks fine-grained

Plutonic rocks coarse-grained

Image sources:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/gmug/permits/grand_valley/gv_rock.shtml
http://www.beg.utexas.edu/mainweb/publications/graphics/granite.htm

Metamorphic Rocks

Formed as a result of heat and pressure

being applied to pre-existing rocks
Characterised by foliation
Structure where crystals
align perpendicular to the
direction of pressure
Classified by texture and
mineral/chemical assemblage.

Image Source : http

://www.cropsoil.uga.edu/soilsandhydrology/Important%20Rocks%20&%20Mi
nerals.htm

Sedimentary Rocks

Formed when sediments are cemented

together at or near the surface of the Earth
Sediments formed as a result of chemical
or mechanical weathering, erosion,
transportation and deposition.
Commonly form layers as sediment is
deposited following erosion and
transportation
May contain structures to indicate
way-upness!

Image source: http://www.edupic.net/geo.htm

Classifying Sedimentary
Rocks

Breccia

Conglomerate Sandstone

Halite

Limestone

Coal

Minerals

Naturally occurring substance formed through

geological processes
Have a characteristic chemical composition, a highly
ordered atomic structure and specific physical
properties
Range in composition from pure elements and simple
salts to very complex silicates with thousands of
known forms
Study of minerals is called
mineralogy
Can be mined and processed
to obtain constituent metals

Image Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineral

Rocks v MineralsWhats the difference?

A mineral is made up of one substance that under
normal circumstances would form crystals.

Rocks are made up of minerals. Most rocks have

several types of minerals in them, but some have only
one type of mineral. For example, sandstone is mostly
quartz.
Examples:

Minerals: Quartz, feldspar and mica.

Rocks: Granite, pegmatite, shale, slate, gneiss, schist
(all made of quartz, feldspar and mica)

Mineral: Calcite
Rock: Limestone and marble (made of calcite)

Minerals: Plagioclase feldspar and augite

Rock: Basalt (oceanic volcanic rock made of
plagioclase and augite)

Source: http://borntoexplore.org/ryan/rocksvs.htm

Task

Identify the samples provided as either rocks or

minerals, justifying your response for each.