Mineral – a naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a

specific chemical composition and a definite crystalline

structure that forms from magma or supersaturated

solution.

Rock – a mixture of minerals, rock fragments, volcanic

glass, organic matter, or other natural materials.

To show how rocks slowly change through time,

scientists have created a model called the rock

cycle.

The rock cycle – shows the 3 main types of

rocks and the processes that form them.

The 3 main types of Rocks are:

1)Igneous 2)Metamorphic 3)Sedimentary

Igneous rocks - formed from cooled magma or lava.

Metamorphic rocks - formed when a rock is put

under tremendous heat and pressure for a long period

of time.

Sedimentary rocks - formed from weathered

materials (sediments) that have been pressed together

or cemented over time.

basalt

conglomerate

gneiss

Weathering – the breaking down of rocks and

mountains due to weather, such as rain, snow, wind,

and ice (glaciers).

Once rock is weathered into sediments (tiny pieces

of rock) it can be transported by wind or water to

various locations.

Deposition occurs when earth materials are

deposited somewhere and accumulate over time.

Lithification or cementation is the hardening of

sediments to form rock. This is how sedimentary

rocks form.

When rocks are put under tremendous heat and

pressure, rocks can change in appearance and

chemical composition.

This is how metamorphic rocks are formed.

When rock melts it

becomes magma,

which is molten rock

found beneath Earth’s

surface.

Lava is molten rock

found on top of Earth’s

surface.

When magma or lava

cools and hardens, it

forms igneous rock.

Rocks below Earth’s surface can become uplifted

and exposed to the surface of Earth by plate

movement or erosion.

Surface rock is then exposed to weathering and

erosion……and the cycle begins again.

Rocks are subjected to constant change.

Material is NOT destroyed or lost during this

cycle. They are just redistributed in other

forms.