Vocabulary1. Igneous A group of rocks made from the products of a volcano

eruption, such as magma2. Sedimentary A group of rocks formed when particles, such as dirt,

sand , and fossils, settle into layers.3. Metamorphic A group of rocKs formed when particles of other

rocks are combined by pressure4. Weathering The process where particles are slowly moved off of a

solid. 5. Erosion The slow process where particles are removed from solids

by wind or water.

What are rocks?Rocks are made of one or more minerals. Rocks are sorted by certain characteristics,or features. Rocks are often sorted by their main characteristic, which is how they are formed.

Metamorphic Rocks

Rocks

Igneous Rocks Sedimentary Rocks

Igneous RocksIgneous rocks are one of the earth's types of rocks. Igneous rocks are formed from molten rock. When magma flows, cools, and hardens, these rocks are made. This can happen at the earth’s surface or deep underground. There are hundreds of types of igneous rocks. The top layer of the earth’s crust is made up of mostly igneous rocks. This is because volcanoes are at the earth’s surface and when the lava flows and cools, these rocks are made.

Granite

Sedimentary RocksSedimentary rocks are formed at the earth’s surface, sometimes underwater. Erosion forms there types of rocks. The name comes from the word sediment, which is small minerals, pieces of plant, and other organic matter. The rocks are formed by these pieces of sediment being deposited over an area over time. Typically, they come from the bottom of lakes and oceans. These rocks have layers called strata.

Limestone

Metamorphic rocks Metamorphic rocks have been changed a great deal over time. Changes that have occurred to these rocks are caused by pressure and heat. They are formed deep in the Earth’s surface. Erosion is what can bring these metamorphic rock are marble, slate, and quartzite. Layers can be seen on metamorphic rocks. These types of rocks were once igneous and sedimentary rocks, but have been changed over time.

Slate

Rock Cycle

Rock CycleMetamorphic

Igneous

Sedimentary

MineralsMinerals have properties, including color, texture, luster, streak, cleavage, and hardness. Minerals can also be sorted into metals and gems. Minerals can be soft or hard. All minerals have a crystal, or organized, structure.

Gold and silver

Metals Gems

Diamonds

Luster is how a mineral’s surface reflects light. A glassy luster is shiny, like glass. A metallic luster looks like polished metal. Luster can also be wazy, pearly, chalky, and other luster.

Minerals

A mineral’s streak is its color in powdered form. This powder can be seen by rubbing a mineral across a streak plate.

Minerals

MineralsHardness is how easily the surface of a mineral can be scratched. A mineral with greater hardness can scratch a mineral with lower hardness. Talc is the softest and diamond is the hardest.

Minerals that break along smooth, flat surfaces have cleavage. Most minerals break in definite patterns. Some minerals with perfect cleavage break into flat, smooth layers. Other minerals do not have cleavage. They break into non flat shapes or splinter.

Minerals