CFrench - PHY103 M! Q
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School
Southern New Hampshire University *
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Course
103
Subject
Geology
Date
Apr 3, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
9
Uploaded by AmbassadorSquirrelPerson1009
1)
What is the formal
definition of a mineral? Be sure to highlight at least two segments of the definition and translate the definition segments into more common language to facilitate proper understanding.
a)
The formal definition for an organic substance is "a solid homogeneous crystalline chemical element or compound that results from the inorganic process of nature." In other words, Its an inorganic compound composed of repeating elemental compounds, such as how Talc is a hydrated magnesium silicate, being compromised of magnesium, silicon, oxygen, and hydrogen. 2)
Identify at least two
physical properties
(streak, fracture, etc.) of a mineral while using examples of common minerals that prominently feature those properties. Provide links or screenshots of the discussed minerals to illustrate the highlighted properties. Also, explain what mineral group it belongs to and why.
a)
A diamond showcases the properties of luster and cleavage. A diamond has the highest non metallic luster, which means it reflects a large amount of the light that hits it, and refracts
the light that goes inside the mineral as well. Diamond also has a very clean cleavage. This means that when a diamond is struck, it almost always have a very clean break. Diamonds are made from carbon, putting them within the carbonate mineral group. Diamonds are formed from millions
of years of pressure building up on top of them when they are underground, compressing the carbon in the Earth until they from what we know as diamonds.
b)
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c)
3)
Describe at least one
type of rock
(igneous, sedimentary, etc.), how that type forms, and at least one
subtype
(extrusive, sandstone, etc.) of that rock and how it develops. Find an example online and provide links or screenshots of the rock subtype. Your example should illustrate the most identifiable characteristics of that particular rock type.
a)
Sedimentary rocks are formed one of two ways. They are either detrital or chemical. Detrital sedimentary rocks are formed due to the accumulation of sediments, fragments, or other materials, known as a type of accumulation of rock and
mineral debris, that is compacted into a sedimentary rock. Chemical sedimentary rocks are formed most commonly from chemicals in water, such as mineral deposits when a lake dries up or calcium carbonate forming limestone (
Sedimentary Rocks
, n.d.)
. Sedimentary is also the type of rock where fossils are most commonly found, as they are compacted within the layers. When thinking of sedimentary rocks, most people will think of sandstone, Sandstone is
made from the same process as sedimentary rocks, the only difference is that is made primarily of sand sized particles and its multiple layers that make up the stone are clearly visible.
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b)
4)
Explain the
rock cycle
starting with the primordial molten earth and progressing through the development of different rock types and subtypes, and back, over time.
a)
Starting with molten earth, or magma, when this magma begins to cool, it forms igneous rocks. Three different things can happen to this igneous rock. It can melt and turn back into magma, can undergo heat and pressure and turn into a metamorphic rock, or can be weathered and eroded and turn
into sediment. With this erosion and weathering, it will in turn become compacted and turn into sedimentary rocks. This sedimentary rock can be weathered and eroded and turn back into sediment, or it can undergo heat and pressure
and turn into a metamorphic rock. In turn, this metamorphic rock can undergo weathering and erosion and turn into sediment or it can melt and turn back into magma. 5)
Explain what
soil
is—its makeup,
physical properties, and
classifications.
a)
Soil is made up a combination of sand, silt, and clay that makes up what we see when we look at Earth's surface. The physical properties are referred to as horizons, which are classified as O, A, E, B, C, and R. The classification is as follows: O, humus or organic; A, topsoil, or surface; E, eluviated; B, subsoil; C, parent material, or substratum; R, bedrock. The humus horizon is the one on the top, often the thinnest horizon, which ius made up os mostly organic matter, such as decomposing leaves or organisms. The topsoil is made mostly of minerals from parent material and Is where a lot of plants will begin sprouting roots. The eluviated layer is made mostly of silt and sand, and is most commonly found in older soils. The subsoil is rich and minerals that have moved from the topsoil or eluviated horizons. The parent material is the horizon at Earth's surface where that soil developed. Lastly, the bedrock is a mass of rock, like sandstone or granite, that can be used as the parent soil but also helps with erosion and water supply (
Soil Horizons | Soils 4 Teachers
, n.d.)
.
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