Starter quiz
- What is a mineral?
- A type of rock made of organic matter.
- A naturally occurring pure substance with a crystal structure. ✓
- A synthetic compound used in construction.
- A rock fragment found in soil.
-
- Which of the following properties are not typically used to identify minerals?
- hardness
- colour
- smell ✓
- density
-
- Which of the following materials is known for its hardness and is often used in jewellery?
- talc
- diamond ✓
- limestone
- granite
-
- Which of the following physical properties describes how easily a material can be scratched?
- density
- hardness ✓
- transparency
- malleability
-
- A ______ is a solid mixture of minerals or organic matter.
- 'rock' ✓
- The ______ of a material describes its mass per unit volume.
- 'density' ✓
Exit quiz
- Which of the following is a characteristic feature of sedimentary rocks?
- interlocking crystals
- grains stuck together ✓
- non–porous
- formed from magma
-
- Which of the following distinguishes igneous rocks from other rock types?
- The presence of fossils.
- Composed of crystals that point in many directions. ✓
- Composed of compressed sediments.
- Formed due to heat and pressure.
-
- Which of the following statements about metamorphic rocks is incorrect?
- They contain aligned crystals.
- They form from compressed sediments. ✓
- They are non-porous.
- They form due to heat and/or pressure.
-
- The properties of igneous and metamorphic rocks make them suitable for a variety of purposes. Which of the following are not typical uses?
- building materials
- sculptures and monuments
- car parts ✓
- food containers ✓
- kitchen worksurfaces
-
- Which of the following types of rock is marble?
- sedimentary
- igneous
- metamorphic ✓
-
- ______ rocks have spaces between the grains or crystals, allowing water to pass through.
- 'porous' ✓
Worksheet
Loading worksheet ...
Presentation
Loading presentation ...
Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Sedimentary rocks contain distinct grains that are stuck together.
- Sedimentary rocks may contain fragments of shell or fossils, or larger pieces of grit or pebbles cemented together.
- Igneous rocks contain crystals that point in many directions; metamorphic rocks contain crystals that mostly line up.
- Rocks that contain interlocking grains or interlocking crystals are non-porous; rocks that don't are porous.
- The properties of rock influence their uses.
Common misconception
Pupils sometimes focus on one feature to classify rocks as one type or another.
Stress that the rock classification system is gradual - show examples of various metamorphic rocks, highlighting similarities / differences.
Keywords
Sedimentary - A type of rock formed from the compression of sediments (rock fragments, minerals and remains of dead plants and animals).
Metamorphic - A type of rock that has changed due to heat and/or pressure (e.g. marble, slate).
Igneous - A type of rock formed from magma, either erupted from a volcano (e.g. pumice) or cooled below ground (e.g. granite).
Porous - A rock with spaces between the grains.
Non-porous - A rock with no spaces between the grains or one that contains interlocking crystals.
+