Rocks, Minerals, and Earth Processes
What Earth is made of
Minerals and rocks
A mineral is a natural solid with a specific chemical makeup and crystal structure. A rock is made of one or more minerals. Rocks are the building materials of Earth's crust.
Earth materials
Three rock types
Igneous
- Forms from cooled molten rock
- Example: basalt or granite
Sedimentary
- Forms from layers of sediment
- Often has visible layers
What is a rock made of?
Rocks are mixtures of minerals.
Correct answer: One or more minerals
Weathering and erosion
Weathering breaks rocks into smaller pieces. Erosion moves those pieces to another place by water, wind, ice, or gravity. Over time, these processes can change landscapes.
Which process moves rock pieces from place to place?
Erosion transports weathered material.
Correct answer: Erosion
Soil matters
Soil helps plants grow and also supports many tiny living things.
What is weathering?
Weathering changes rock in place.
Correct answer: The breaking down of rocks into smaller pieces.
Name one rock type.
Any of the three major rock types is correct.
Correct answer: Igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic.