Homework Help is Here – Start Your Trial Now!
Science
Earth Science
Igneous Rock Textures Igneous rock classification is based on both the mineral composition as well as the size of the minerals or texture of the igneous rock. Why do we see differences in the sizes of mineral crystals?

Igneous Rock Textures Igneous rock classification is based on both the mineral composition as well as the size of the minerals or texture of the igneous rock. Why do we see differences in the sizes of mineral crystals?

Applications and Investigations in Earth Science (9th Edition)
Applications and Investigations in Earth Science (9th Edition)
9th Edition
ISBN:9780134746241
Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Chapter1: The Study Of Minerals
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1LR
See similar textbooks
icon
Related questions
Question
Igneous Rock Textures Igneous rock classification is based on both the mineral composition as well as the size of the minerals or texture of the igneous rock. Why do we see differences in the sizes of mineral crystals? As molten lava or magma cools to form igneous rocks, the atoms in the lava or magma find their place in the crystalline structure of a mineral and the minerals grow as the magma/lava solidifies. You are going to mimic this process using pennies. Find a handful of pennies or other small stackable object (~20 should work). Scatter the pennies in front of you. The scattered pennies represent atoms that are in molten lava or magma. A column of neatly stacked pennies heads up represents a mineral crystal. 6. In this first scenario, the molten rock is cooling fast and you only have 2 seconds to form the largest 'mineral' that you can by stacking the pennies heads up. Use the timer on your cell phone to record the time while you stack your minerals. a. How many pennies did you stack in 2 seconds? b. Repeat this process but this time the molten rock is cooling slowing and you now have 10 seconds to form the largest mineral that you can. Record the number of pennies that you stacked in 10 seconds. С. Under which condition do you think larger mineral crystals will form? Let's think about a scenario where the lava cools so quickly that you don't have time to stack any pennies. Would you form any minerals? Remember that all minerals have a set crystalline structure. If the atoms don't have time to form a crystalline structure you end up with glass. Obsidian (shown below) is an example of an igneous rock that formed in this manner.
Transcribed Image Text:Igneous Rock Textures Igneous rock classification is based on both the mineral composition as well as the size of the minerals or texture of the igneous rock. Why do we see differences in the sizes of mineral crystals? As molten lava or magma cools to form igneous rocks, the atoms in the lava or magma find their place in the crystalline structure of a mineral and the minerals grow as the magma/lava solidifies. You are going to mimic this process using pennies. Find a handful of pennies or other small stackable object (~20 should work). Scatter the pennies in front of you. The scattered pennies represent atoms that are in molten lava or magma. A column of neatly stacked pennies heads up represents a mineral crystal. 6. In this first scenario, the molten rock is cooling fast and you only have 2 seconds to form the largest 'mineral' that you can by stacking the pennies heads up. Use the timer on your cell phone to record the time while you stack your minerals. a. How many pennies did you stack in 2 seconds? b. Repeat this process but this time the molten rock is cooling slowing and you now have 10 seconds to form the largest mineral that you can. Record the number of pennies that you stacked in 10 seconds. С. Under which condition do you think larger mineral crystals will form? Let's think about a scenario where the lava cools so quickly that you don't have time to stack any pennies. Would you form any minerals? Remember that all minerals have a set crystalline structure. If the atoms don't have time to form a crystalline structure you end up with glass. Obsidian (shown below) is an example of an igneous rock that formed in this manner.
Expert Solution
steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

SEE SOLUTIONCheck out a sample Q&A here
Blurred answer
Recommended textbooks for you
Applications and Investigations in Earth Science …
Applications and Investigations in Earth Science …
Earth Science
ISBN:
9780134746241
Author:
Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:
PEARSON
Exercises for Weather & Climate (9th Edition)
Exercises for Weather & Climate (9th Edition)
Earth Science
ISBN:
9780134041360
Author:
Greg Carbone
Publisher:
PEARSON
Environmental Science
Environmental Science
Earth Science
ISBN:
9781260153125
Author:
William P Cunningham Prof., Mary Ann Cunningham Professor
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education
Earth Science (15th Edition)
Earth Science (15th Edition)
Earth Science
ISBN:
9780134543536
Author:
Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:
PEARSON
Environmental Science (MindTap Course List)
Environmental Science (MindTap Course List)
Earth Science
ISBN:
9781337569613
Author:
G. Tyler Miller, Scott Spoolman
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Physical Geology
Physical Geology
Earth Science
ISBN:
9781259916823
Author:
Plummer, Charles C., CARLSON, Diane H., Hammersley, Lisa
Publisher:
Mcgraw-hill Education,
SEE MORE TEXTBOOKS