TOPIC 2 and EXTENSION A OBJECTIVES
MINERALS AND ROCKS
1. Define the term rock in terms of minerals.
A solid made of one or more mineral.
2. Identify the physical properties by which minerals may most often be identified.
Luster: How light is reflected from the surface of a mineral.
Hardness: The ability of a mineral to resist being scratched.
Streak: The powdered color of a mineral.
Breaking: When the mineral is broken does it form flat surfaces or not.
Color: Be careful with this characteristic because some minerals come in many colors, and different minerals can be the same color.
3.Given a mineral identification key, determine the physical properties of a mineral and its identity by name.
Students must use the properties listed above to identify a mineral.
4E. Identify some minerals using chemical properties.
The mineral Calcite will react with HCl releasing CO2; it will bubble and fizz.
5E. Identify the name and be able to construct or draw the model of the silicon, oxygen structural unit in silicates.
The structure is called a tetrahedron. It contains four Oxygen atoms in a pyramid shape with a Silicon atom in the center.
6E a. Determine the most abundant element in Earth materials, and its percentage by mass and volume,according to the Earth Science Reference Tables (ESRT).
This information is in a chart on page 11 of the ESRT. Page 11 ESRT The answer is Oxygen.
This is also on page 11 of the ESRT. The answer is Silicon.
7E. Identify what causes minerals to have different physical properties even though most are made up of similar elements.
When minerals form at different temperature the atom that make up the minerals arrange themselves differently. In the case of the silicate minerals the tetrahedrons can be arranged differently. For example they can be random, in single chains, double chains, sheets, or three-dimensional networks.
8. Describe the formation of an igneous rock.
Igneous rocks form from material that was once molten.
9. Account for the differences between intrusive and extrusive igneous rock.
Intrusive rocks form underground. The rocks above act as an insulator allowing the molten material to cool slowly. This allows the atoms time to arrange themselves to form minerals. Extrusive means above ground, and they cool so rapidly minerals do not have time to form.
10E. Using the Scheme for Igneous Rock Identification Table from the ESRT:
Both (a) and (b) for this objective involve reading a chart on page 6 of the ESRT.
a. Examine and categorize rocks given their mineral composition, texture, density and color.
b. Given the name of an igneous rock, deduce its mineral composition, texture, and color.
11E. Describe the formation of an igneous intrusion and extrusion.
An intrusion forms underground and extrusion forms above ground.
12E. Define felsic and mafic igneous rocks as to their density, color, composition, and place of occurrence.
The information needed for this objective is in the igneous rock chart on page 16 of the ESRT. Felsic: Low density, light color, contains lots of Al, found in continental rock. Mafic: High density, dark color, contains a lot of Mg and Fe, found in oceanic rock.
13. Describe the formation of clastic sedimentary rocks, which gives them their properties.
Joining together particles of weathered rock by pressure and or cement, makes clastic sedimentary rocks.
14E. Using the ESRT, examine and identify clastic sedimentary rocks based on their texture, grain size, and composition.
For this objective students need to be able to read the top chart on page 7 of the ESRT.
15E. Describe the process by which organic and chemical sedimentary rocks are formed and their properties.
Organic
sedimentary rocks are the result of a biological process. For example coal forms from plant material and limestone can form from animal life.Chemical sedimentary rocks form from material that was once dissolved in water.
16. Using the ESRT, examine and identify nonclastic sedimentary rocks according to their grain size, composition, and method of formation.
For this objective students need to be able to read the top chart on page 7 of the ESRT.
17. Describe the formation of metamorphic rock.
Metamorphic rocks are rocks that have been changed by heat and or pressure.
18. Using the ESRT, examine and identify metamorphic rock according to texture, grain size, composition, and type of metamorphism.
The chart is on the bottom of page 7 of the ESRT.
19E. Compare and contrast metamorphic rock with its parent rock.
The metamorphic rock is harder and denser.
20E. Describe how one parent rock may form a variety of metamorphic rocks depending on the type and degree of metamorphism.
An example is what can happen to the sedimentary rock shale. With a little heat and pressure it will form the metamorphic rock slate. If a slightly higher degree of the heat and pressure is applied slate isn’t formed. Instead the metamorphic rock schist is formed. If even more heat and pressure is applied the metamorphic rock gneiss is formed.
21E a. Define contact metamorphism.
Contact metamorphism
occurs around an igneous intrusion. This means a relatively small area is effected.b. Define regional metamorphism.
Regional metamorphism
occurs during mountain building, which means large areas are effected.22. Given rock samples be able to select a sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rock based on their distinguishing characteristics.
With the help of the ESRT students will have to identify a rock. Listed below are some general characteristics of the three rock types:
Sedimentary: Made of identifiable rock particles. Contains fossils Has nearly perfect layering.
Igneous: Random crystals Contains air pockets Looks like black glass
Metamorphic: Has crystals in wavy layers, which is called foliation Looks like two different rock types are stuck together Looks like a snakes skin
23. Explain why fossils are found mainly in sedimentary rock.
The heat and pressure involved in the formation of igneous and metamorphic rocks usually destroys fossils.
24. Using the Rock Cycle Diagram from the ESRT, identify the changes that must occur for one rock type to change into another rock.
The chart is on page 6 of the ESRT.
25. Identify regions of the United States where sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rock would most likely be found. Indicate which rock type covers most of the Earth's surface.
The students have a map that shows what type of rock is found at the surface of the Earth. In general the middle of the country has sedimentary rock, the East Coast has a belt of metamorphic and the West Coast has igneous rocks. The most common rock type at the surface of the Earth is sedimentary.
26. Using the Generalized Bedrock Geology of NYS Map in the ESRT, identify locations where sedimentary and non-sedimentary rocks are found at the surface.
The map is on page 3 of ESRT.
27E. Describe the formation of fossil fuels and their importance to the global economy.
Oil is thought to form from microscopic animal life in the sea. When these animals die they collect on the bottom where they get buried by sediment. Over time pressure converts them to oil. Coal is made from plant material. Fossil fuels are by far the most important energy source used today.
28E. Discuss the implications of the uneven distribution and the control of oil and mineral resources.
Countries without fossil fuels have an extremely difficult time developing a strong economy. Wars have been fought to protect or gain fuel supplies.
