AP Environmental Science › Rock Cycle
A geologist had the opportunity to collect rock cycles on a tiny island off the coast of Italy. He noticed that the rocks were formed of compacted shells and skeletons from dead organisms. Based on your understanding of the three types of rocks formed during the rock cycle, which rock type did the geologist collect?
Sedimentary rock
Igneous rock
Metamorphic rock
Anamorphic rock
The correct response is sedimentary rock. Sedimentary rock is made of various sediments that accumulate over time, like dead plants and animals and other rocks. Metamorphic rock is made from existing rocks placed under high pressure, high temp, and/or chemical compounds that alter the crystalline structure, the appearance, and the physical properties of the rock. Igneous rocks are formed as magma cools and solidifies. The other two answer choices are not rock types.
A stream with lots of pebbles of various shapes and sizes is buried. What type of rock will be created when these pebbles are lithified?
Sedimentary
Metamorphic
Igneous
None of these
Pebbles of various sizes and shapes will create a sedimentary rock called a conglomerate rock.
Which of the following pairs of terms best identifies the two types of igneous rock?
Intrusive, extrusive
Metamorphic, volcanic
Lava, ash
Plutonic, mafic
Igneous rocks are divided into two types: intrusive and extrusive. Intrusive means that the rock cooled inside the earth and these rocks are usually large-grained. Extrusive means that the rock cooled outside the earth and is usually fine-grained (volcanic rock).
Which of the following factors can cause a sedimentary rock to change into a metamorphic rock?
All of these
Increasing pressure
Increasing temperature
Addition of fluids
Increasing temperature and pressure—through burial or submersion—causes the minerals that compose the rock to become unstable. This results in recrystallization of the minerals, which forms a new rock.
Which of the following best explains the difference between weathering and erosion?
Weathering is the process that creates sediment, while erosion is the process of transporting sediment
Erosion is the process that creates sediment, while weathering is the process of transporting sediment
Weathering is the physical process that creates sediment, while erosion is the chemical process of creating sediment
Weathering is the chemical process that creates sediment, while erosion is the physical process of creating sediment
Weathering is a process that creates sediment. There are physical and chemical weathering processes. On the other hand, erosion is described as a process that transports sediment. Erosion transports sediment through exogenous processes, such as by water or wind.
Which of the following statements about the rock cycle is not true?
Sedimentary rock can become metamorphic rock, but not igneous rock.
Sedimentary rock can become metamorphic rock or igneous rock.
Metamorphic rock can become sedimentary rock or igneous rock.
Igneous rock can form from either sedimentary or metamorphic rock.
Rocks can transition between sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks. Sedimentary rock forms from the weathering of any rock type. Igneous rock forms from the melting of any rock type. Metamorphic forms from recrystallization (without melting) any type of rock.
There are three basic types of rocks.
Which type of rock is the result of the heating and cooling process alone?
Igneous
Metamorphic
Sedimentary
All of these
None of these
Igneous rock is formed when magma/lava cools and solidifies. Igneous rock is weathered, eroded, transported and deposited to form sedimentary rock. If igneous or sedimentary rocks are subjected to great heat and pressure they transform into metamorphic rock. Metamorphic rock can be reheated and re-pressurized to create different types of metamorphic rock.
Which of the following rock types is a result of the rapid cooling of magma?
Igneous
Metamorphic
Sedimentary
Oceanic
Fossilized
The three main rock types are sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic. Sedimentary rock is the result of the build up of sediment, such as sand or dirt. Igneous rocks are the result of the cooling of lava and molten rock, and can be crystalline in structure. Metamorphic rock is the compression of igneous and/or sedimentary rock, creating a new type of rock from intense pressure. Metamorphic rock comprises the majority of the Earth's crust.
During the rock cycle, three types of rocks are created. Which type of rock is formed as magma from the Earth's mantle and crust cools and solidifies?
Igneous rock
Metamorphic rock
Sedimentary rock
Anamorphic rock
The correct response is igneous rock. Sedimentary rock is made of various sediments that accumulate over time. Metamorphic rock is made under high pressure, high temp, and/or chemical compounds that alter the crystalline structure, the appearance, and the physical properties of the rock. The other two answer choices are not rock types.
Which of the following kinds of rock is most commonly formed in desert environments?
Sandstone, a sedimentary rock
Conglomerate, a sedimentary rock
Gneiss, a metamorphic rock
Rhyolite, an igneous rock
Sandstone is created in many environments, however it is most commonly produced in deserts and beaches.