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Types of rock and the rock cycle

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Lesson notes

Three Main Rock Types

  • There are three main types of rock: **sedimentary**, **metamorphic**, and **igneous**.
  • These rock types constantly change from one to another over many years in the **rock cycle**.

Sedimentary Rocks

  • Formed from **sediment** (small rocks and particles) produced by **weathering**.
  • Sediment is carried by rivers to the sea, where layers build up over time.
  • Pressure from overlying layers compresses the sediment, forming solid rock.
  • Examples: **limestone** and **shale**.

Metamorphic Rocks

  • Formed when existing rocks are changed by intense **heat** and **pressure**.
  • Slate is a metamorphic rock originally made from **shale**.
  • Marble is a metamorphic rock made from **limestone**.

Igneous Rocks

  • Formed when **magma** (molten rock) cools and solidifies.
  • Two types: **extrusive** (above surface) and **intrusive** (below surface).

Extrusive vs Intrusive Igneous Rocks

  • **Extrusive** igneous rocks form above the Earth's surface; magma cools quickly, forming **small crystals** (e.g., **basalt**).
  • **Intrusive** igneous rocks form below the Earth's surface; magma cools slowly, forming **large crystals** (e.g., **granite**).

The Rock Cycle

  • The rock cycle shows how rocks change from one type to another over time.
  • Processes include: weathering, erosion, deposition, compaction, heat, pressure, melting, and cooling.

Particle arrangement in solids, liquids, and gases. Sedimentary rocks form from compacted sediment (solid particles).

Particle arrangementSolidLiquidGas

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Practice questions

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  1. 1.What are the three main types of rock?

    Easy
    • ASedimentary, metamorphic, igneous
    • BSedimentary, metamorphic, volcanic
    • CIgneous, sedimentary, limestone
    • DMetamorphic, igneous, marble
  2. 2.How is sediment formed?

    Easy
    • ABy weathering of rocks
    • BBy volcanic eruption
    • CBy intense heat and pressure
    • DBy cooling of magma
  3. 3.Which process compresses sediment into sedimentary rock?

    Medium
    • ACompaction and cementation
    • BMelting and cooling
    • CHeat and pressure
    • DWeathering and erosion
  4. 4.Which of the following is an example of a sedimentary rock?

    Easy
    • ALimestone
    • BSlate
    • CGranite
    • DMarble
  5. 5.What rock is formed when limestone is subjected to intense heat and pressure?

    Easy
    • AMarble
    • BSlate
    • CGranite
    • DBasalt
  6. 6.Metamorphic rocks are formed by:

    Medium
    • AIntense heat and pressure
    • BCooling of magma
    • CCompaction of sediment
    • DWeathering and erosion
  7. 7.Which of these is a metamorphic rock?

    Easy
    • ASlate
    • BLimestone
    • CBasalt
    • DShale
  8. 8.What is the name for molten rock?

    Easy
    • AMagma
    • BLava
    • CSediment
    • DCrystal

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