Deck 3: Rocks and Rock-Forming Processes

Question 1

Almost all natural rocks are consolidated aggregates of minerals.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

A plutonic rock results from

A) hydrothermal activity.
B) volcanic activity.
C) clastic processes.
D) slow cooling beneath the earth's surface.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

How can you tell the difference between plutonic and volcanic igneous rocks?

A) A volcanic rock is fine-grained; a plutonic rock is coarse-grained.
B) A volcanic rock experienced more pressure, so they are smaller; plutonic rocks are larger.
C) A volcanic rock has less silicate material than plutonic.
D) A volcanic rock is much hotter than a plutonic rock.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Sedimentary rocks form

A) deep within Earth's crust.
B) at Earth's surface environment.
C) at elevated temperatures and low pressures.
D) from magma on the surface.

Question 5

What is one situation in which a metamorphic rock results?

A) A volcano ejects a rock and it cools on the surface of the earth.
B) A sedimentary rock experiences the physical elements of the earth's surface.
C) An igneous rock breaks down to fragments and then experiences heat and pressure.
D) A sedimentary rock experiences intense heat and pressure.

Question 6

Why are Genetic classifications so helpful?

A) They classify genetics of the material, studying the mineral makeup to group types.
B) They group features or phenomena by noting similarities in the processes that create them.
C) They group rock types by the appearance of the material.
D) They study behaviors that processes exhibit.

Question 7

All of the following are examples of descriptive classifications except

A) igneous vs. sedimentary vs. metamorphic rocks.
B) silica rich vs. silica poor vs. intermediate rocks.
C) dark-colored vs. medium-colored vs. light-colored rocks.
D) carbonate vs. mixed-carbonate vs. non-carbonate rocks.

Question 8

No rocks originate from observable processes that take place at earth's surface.

Question 9

A classification scheme that grouped plutonic and metamorphic rocks together and sedimentary and volcanic rocks together would be based on

A) the average grain size of the rocks.
B) the presence of glass in the rocks.
C) the location of the rock's formation.
D) the bulk composition of the rocks.

Question 10

What must occur in order for a metamorphic rock to become a sedimentary rock?

A) weathering
B) solidification
C) melting
D) cooling

Question 11

How would a metamorphic rock become a sedimentary rock?

A) It could melt and crystallize.
B) It could eject from a volcano and cool on the earth's surface.
C) It could experience weathering or erosion, later precipitating and undergoing lithification.
D) It could be exposed to intense heat and pressure to form sedimentary rock.

Question 12

How would a chemical sedimentary rock form?

A) from the precipitation of minerals
B) particles of preexisting rocks liberate by physical weathering, then cement together
C) a metamorphic rock breaks down
D) a sedimentary rock is intensely heated

Question 13

An igneous rock is fine-grained. What kind of rock is it, and how did it form?

A) a volcanic rock; it cooled quickly on the surface of the earth
B) a plutonic rock; it cooled quickly beneath the earth's surface
C) a hydrothermal rock; it cooled underwater
D) a chemical rock; it cooled by the mixing of certain chemicals

Question 14

How did a coarse-grained inclusion that erupted from a volcano form by internal processes?

A) The material was precipitated from groundwater.
B) Intense heat and pressure formed the metamorphic rock in the inclusion.
C) Cooling lava erupted from a volcano.
D) Coarser rocks form from the slow solidification of magma beneath Earth's surface.

Question 15

How would a clastic sedimentary rock form?

A) A sedimentary rock is intensely heated.
B) Particles of preexisting rocks liberate by physical weathering, then cement together.
C) An igneous rock breaks down.
D) A metamorphic rock breaks down.

Question 16

An example using a genetic classification of minerals is

A) The Metamorphic Minerals.
B) The Mohs Hardness Minerals.
C) The Silicate Structures.
D) The Rock Forming Minerals.

Question 17

Why are descriptive classifications so useful?

A) They group items of similar appearance, making it easy to guess which rock type they are.
B) They describe classifications, making it easy to understand which classification the rock type falls into.
C) They are only used in Geology, so there is not much confusion.
D) They note similarities in creation, making it easy to understand formation processes.

Question 18

It's wise to use the site of formation as the primary criterion for rock classification.

Question 19

A rock sample appears to have different layers, seemingly made of sand particles. How would you genetically classify this sample?

A) metamorphic
B) sedimentary
C) igneous
D) chemical

Question 20

An igneous rock is weathered down to rock fragments; what happens to the fragments?

A) They undergo lithification to form sedimentary rocks.
B) They are transported and deposited into sediment banks, then undergoing lithification to form sedimentary rock.
C) They experience intense heat and pressure to form metamorphic rock.
D) They melt to form new igneous rock.

Question 21

The deterioration of surface rock can be attributed to weathering. What can be a result of weathering?

A) the formation of metamorphic rock
B) tectonic action
C) lithification to form sedimentary rock
D) volcanic action

Question 22

Crystal size can be used to help distinguish

A) clastic from chemical sedimentary rocks.
B) hydrothermal from chemical rocks.
C) volcanic from plutonic igneous rocks.
D) regional from contact metamorphic rocks.

Question 23

Which word best describes volcanic rock?

A) cemented
B) transparent
C) intergrown
D) fragmented

Question 24

The easiest way to distinguish a sedimentary rock from other types is by its

A) grain size.
B) color.
C) bedding.
D) location.

Question 25

The Greek word lithos, from which the process of lithification is named, means

A) pressure.
B) rock.
C) heated.
D) affected by water.

Question 26

Chemical weathering causes rocks to disintegrate into smaller rocks or into even smaller grains.

Question 27

Extrusive is to volcanic as ________ is to plutonic.

A) igneous
B) intrusive
C) clastic
D) chemical

Question 28

Physical weathering involves reactions between minerals and water to produce dissolved ions and new minerals.

Question 29

Basic components of sand include shells and quartz. How did these particles get so small?

A) through artificial grinding
B) heat and pressure
C) animals walking on them so much
D) physical weathering

Question 30

The Greek word clastos, from which clastic rocks are named, means

A) broken.
B) cemented.
C) dissolved.
D) reformed.

Question 31

What is necessary for a mineral to cement rock grains together?

A) The cement mineral and the grains must be similar in type.
B) The cement mineral must be a covalently-bonded mineral.
C) The cement mineral must be dissolved in water.
D) The cement mineral must have the same type of bonding as the grains.

Question 32

Why can igneous rocks be distinguished from chemical sedimentary rocks based on composition?

A) The composition of each rock results in different texture.
B) The composition of each rock results in different colors.
C) Igneous rocks, since formed underground, are made up of the same elements as chemical sedimentary rocks.
D) Igneous rocks are primarily made up of silicates, which chemical sedimentary rocks don't contain.

Question 33

How could one test if calcite is the mineral that cements together loose grains of sandstone?

A) If it is extremely strong then it is calcite.
B) If it does not react with dilute acid, then it is calcite.
C) If it does react with dilute acid, then it is calcite.
D) If you lick it and it falls apart, then it is calcite.

Question 34

Silicates do not commonly form chemical sedimentary rock. Why?

A) Silicates do not dissolve as easily as these other more strongly ionic compounds.
B) Silicates are too heavy.
C) Silicates are not abundant enough.
D) Silicates melt too easily.

Question 35

Why do chemical sedimentary rocks not contain silicates?

A) Silicates are too heavy.
B) Silicates do not dissolve as easily as these other more strongly ionic compounds.
C) Silicates are not abundant enough.
D) Silicates melt too easily.

Question 36

Why do sedimentary rocks exhibit bedding?

A) Deposition of different sedimentary materials occurs one layer above the other.
B) Some materials are heavier than others.
C) Some materials are lighter than others.
D) The chemical makeup of some materials cause them to bond peculiarly, resulting in bedding.

Question 37

Loose sediment is converted into consolidated sedimentary rock by

A) cooling and freezing.
B) precipitation and melting.
C) recrystallization and transformation.
D) compaction and cementation.

Question 38

The genetic classification of rock requires making ________ regarding their origins.

A) hypotheses
B) observations
C) inferences
D) experiments

Question 39

Contrast volcanic rock and sandstone.

A) Sandstone has crystals but volcanic rock is amorphous.
B) Sandstone's crystal cement is made of minerals precipitated out of water, while volcanic rock's crystals formed from molten rock.
C) Volcanic rock's crystal cement is glass-like, while sandstone's cement is opaque.
D) Volcanic rock may be a mosaic of minerals, but sandstone usually forms from a single type of sand.

Question 40

Which of the following statements pertaining to rock formations at a spring is false?

A) The rock may be tinted orange on account of bacteria.
B) The rock forms by reacting with mild acid to produce calcite.
C) The rock forms by reacting with precipitation to produce halite.
D) The rock may enclose vegetation as it builds outwards.

Question 41

Which pair of processes transforms metamorphic rocks to igneous rocks?

A) application of heat and pressure
B) transportation and lithification
C) melting and crystallization
D) melting and precipitation

Question 42

Metamorphic rock is formed by changing the nature of minerals of preexisting rocks. What could the preexisting rocks be?

A) metamorphic
B) igneous
C) metamorphic, igneous, or sedimentary
D) sedimentary

Question 43

How did Neptunists explain volcanoes?

A) Volcanoes were burning subterranean coal beds.
B) Volcanoes were centers of new rock formations.
C) Volcanoes were spots in the crust layer where hot contents of Earth's center spilled out.
D) Volcanoes were burning temporarily due to heat caused by meteor collisions.

Question 44

Divisions within the three classes of rocks are

A) genetic.
B) based on chemical composition.
C) descriptive.
D) mathematical.

Question 45

You are given a Metamorphic rock. From what previous rock type did it form?

A) metamorphic
B) igneous
C) metamorphic, igneous, or sedimentary
D) sedimentary

Question 46

Why were the Vulcanists named so?

A) Vulcan was the Roman god of the heavens.
B) Vulcan was the Roman god of fire.
C) Vulcan was the Roman god of earth.
D) Vulcan was the Roman god of the seas.

Question 47

Why is one way to distinguish metamorphic rocks from igneous rocks mineralogy?

A) The composition of each rock results in different texture.
B) The composition of each rock results in different colors.
C) Igneous rocks, since formed underground, are made up of the same elements as metamorphic rocks.
D) Metamorphic rocks are primarily made up of silicates, which igneous rocks don't primarily contain when cooled from magma.

Question 48

What prior scientific view was supported by Neptunist theory?

A) Earth originated as a vast blob of material uniformly distributed in water.
B) Earth originated as a remnant of a star explosion.
C) Earth originated as solids dissolved in a ball of water.
D) Earth began as a ball of hot gases that cooled into water and solids.

Question 49

Why were the Neptunists named so?

A) Neptune was the Roman god of the heavens.
B) Neptune was the Roman god of fire.
C) Neptune was the Roman god of earth.
D) Neptune was the Roman god of the seas.

Question 50

Why is sedimentary rock found in basins?

A) The whole Earth is a basin.
B) Volcanoes eject sedimentary materials into basins.
C) Clastic sediment erodes from high-standing areas and is transported primarily by water to be deposited in low areas.
D) Plate boundaries grind together at basins to form sediment.

Question 51

Why is igneous an appropriate label for rocks formed from magma or lava?

A) It comes from the Latin word igneus, which means crushed.
B) It comes from the Latin word igneus, which means fiery.
C) It comes from the Latin word igneus, which means pressurized.
D) It comes from the Latin word igneus, which means dissolved.

Question 52

Which was correctly explained by Neptunism but not by Vulcanism?

A) volcanic action
B) metamorphism
C) the sedimentary process
D) igneous rock formation

Question 53

Igneous rocks formed below ground, compared to those formed above ground, are distinguished by

A) crystal size.
B) chemical composition.
C) mineral type.
D) color.

Question 54

Werner invited his students to see a particular rock type in France, whereby their viewpoint about the formation of all rocks changed. Why was this so?

A) They saw lava flows that clearly had not issued from the volcanoes and were composed of a rock called basalt; Werner believed that basalt was volcanic.
B) They saw lava flows that clearly had issued from the volcanoes and were composed of a rock called basalt; Werner didn't believe that basalt was volcanic.
C) They saw sandstone that contradicted their Neptunist beliefs.
D) They saw metamorphic rocks that contradicted their Neptunist beliefs.

Question 55

What must occur for metamorphic rock to become magma?

A) crystallization
B) melting
C) precipitation
D) lithification

Question 56

What may result from lithification?

A) Sediment becomes a sedimentary rock.
B) Metamorphic rock becomes a sedimentary rock.
C) Igneous rock becomes a metamorphic rock.
D) Sedimentary rock melts.

Question 57

Why is plutonic a synonym of intrusive?

A) They mean the same thing.
B) Plutonic comes from the Greek god of the underworld; intrusive rocks are formed beneath the surface of the Earth.
C) Plutonic comes from the Roman god of the ocean; intrusive rocks are formed in water.
D) Plutonic comes from the Roman god of fire; intrusive rocks form from lava on the earth's surface.

Question 58

Which types of rocks can exhibit layering?

A) Sedimentary rocks
B) Igneous and Metamorphic rocks
C) Sedimentary, Igneous and Metamorphic rocks
D) Sedimentary and Metamorphic rocks

Question 59

Which condition is not important when precipitating new mineral crystals from dissolved sediments?

A) element composition
B) pressure
C) temperature
D) duration the sediments are in solution

Question 60

What may result from metamorphism?

A) Precipitated elements become a metamorphic rock.
B) Magma becomes a metamorphic rock.
C) Sedimentary rock becomes a metamorphic rock.
D) Lava becomes a metamorphic rock.

Question 61

The processes depicted in the rock cycle also relate, in large part, to

A) rock color.
B) plate tectonics.
C) mineralogy.
D) the Neptunist Doctrine.

Question 62

James Hutton made all of the following observations that called into question the Neptunist hypothesis for rock formation, except

A) veins of Primitive Rock in Stratified Formations.
B) volcanoes were rare relatively recent phenomena.
C) most silicate minerals are practically insoluble in water.
D) near contact with Primitive Rock, the Stratified Formation appeared modified.

Question 63

Earth temperature decreases progressively with increasing depth.

Question 64

Every part of the Vulcanist doctrine for the formation of rocks was true.

Question 65

A genetic classification scheme requires observation and interpretation of those observations.

Question 66

Metamorphic transformations require conditions found

A) on Earth's surface.
B) inside Earth.
C) in Earth's mantle.
D) only where magma forms.

Question 67

Both the Neptunist Doctrine and the Vulcanist Doctrine included parts that were later proven to be true.

Question 68

What may result from crystallization?

A) Sedimentary rock becomes metamorphic rock.
B) Sediment becomes sedimentary rock.
C) Magma becomes igneous rock.
D) Metamorphic rock becomes magma.

Question 69

Why is crystallization such an important part of the rock cycle?

A) Melting occurs as a result of crystallization.
B) Metamorphism occurs as a result of crystallization.
C) Volcanoes are made because of crystallization.
D) In order for igneous rocks to be made, crystallization must occur.

Question 70

Every part of the Neptunist doctrine for the formation of rocks was false.

Question 71

Neptunists and Vulcanists differed on their interpretation of how loose sand and gravel formed.

Question 72

The Neptunist interpretation of rock formation held that nearly all rocks formed by

A) the remains of plants and animals.
B) chemical precipitation from water.
C) cooling from molten rock.
D) transport from Neptune.

Question 73

Which type of rock did the Vulcanist doctrine explain incorrectly?

A) contact metamorphic rocks
B) intrusive igneous rocks
C) chemical sedimentary rocks
D) extrusive igneous rocks

Question 74

What may result from precipitation?

A) Dissolved elements turn into sedimentary rock.
B) Igneous rock turns into sedimentary rock.
C) Sediment turns into metamorphic rock.
D) Metamorphic rock turns into igneous rock.

Question 75

What may result from weathering/erosion?

A) Sedimentary rock turns to fragments.
B) Igneous rock melts.
C) Metamorphic rock turns into sedimentary rock.
D) Sedimentary rock turns into metamorphic rock.

Question 76

What may result from transportation and deposition?

A) weathering and erosion
B) cooling and crystallization
C) fragments become sediments
D) precipitation and lithification

Question 77

Why are plutonic rocks often called massive?

A) They often accumulate as successive layers, appearing banded.
B) They are covered by the ocean.
C) They are very large.
D) They rarely accumulate as successive layers and as result look very different from sedimentary rocks.

Question 78

A genetic classification scheme only requires good powers of observation.

Question 79

A descriptive classification scheme only requires good powers of observation.

Question 80

Why did the Neptunists think that volcanoes were the product of locally burning coal seams?

A) They thought that coal was extremely abundant at that time.
B) They had no other explanation; they believed in a cold primitive earth.
C) They thought that plate tectonics would shake the coal, causing it to burn.
D) They thought that impacts of comets or meteors heated the coal, making it burn.