Starter quiz
- Which of the following statements about minerals is correct?
- All minerals are human-made.
- Minerals are pure substances with a crystal structure. ✓
- Minerals are only found in sedimentary rocks.
- Minerals do not have any crystal structure.
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- Sort the following steps into the correct order in which they occur during the formation of igneous rocks from melted rock.
- 1⇔melting
- 2⇔cooling
- 3⇔solidification
- Rocks have a ______ melting point because they are composed of minerals with strong chemical bonds.
- 'high' ✓
- Match the following terms to their description.
- mantle⇔the thick, solid layer beneath the crust ✓
- core⇔the central part of Earth ✓
- crust⇔the outermost layer of Earth ✓
- A ______ is a solid with a regular, repeating arrangement of atoms, typically forming when melted rock cools and solidifies.
- 'crystal' ✓
- Scientists use ______ to simulate and study Earth's structure, processes, and phenomena that cannot be directly observed.
- 'models' ✓
Exit quiz
- Which of the following is a definition of pressure?
- The effect of a force acting over an area. ✓
- The amount of energy in an object.
- The speed at which an object moves.
- The weight of an object.
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- Which of the following types of rock change due to extreme temperature and/or pressure?
- sedimentary
- igneous
- metamorphic ✓
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- Starting with the conditions experienced by the rock, sort the following steps into the correct order to describe the formation of metamorphic rock.
- 1⇔Rock experiences extreme pressure and temperature.
- 2⇔Particles are pushed together to form crystals.
- 3⇔Crystals grow inside solid rock.
- Which property of metamorphic rocks allows them to be easily separated into sheets?
- high density
- aligned crystals ✓
- hardness
- colour
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- Which of the following statements about the formation of large crystals in metamorphic rocks is correct?
- Large crystals form quickly.
- Large crystals form under low pressure.
- Large crystals form over millions of years. ✓
- Large crystals form at Earth's surface.
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- At ______ plate boundaries, rocks are subjected to extreme pressure and temperature.
- 'tectonic' ✓
Worksheet
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- In a crystal, the atoms are all arranged in a very regular pattern.
- In some substances, very high pressure, at a high temperature, can push particles together to form crystals.
- Between tectonic plates, the pressure and temperature are high enough for large crystals to grow inside solid rock.
- Metamorphic rocks form under extreme pressure and temperature, altering original structures.
- Aligned crystals in metamorphic rocks give them useful properties (e.g. decoration or easily separated into sheets).
Common misconception
Pressure and heating caused by burying alone is enough to cause metamorphism or rock to melt.
Highlight that the temperatures / pressures needed for metamorphism or rocks to melt are typically found at plate boundaries / hot spots.
Keywords
Pressure - The effect of a force acting over an area.
Metamorphic rock - Rocks that have changed due to heat and/or pressure (e.g. marble, slate).
Aligned - Grains that line up in the same direction are described as aligned.
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