The Rock Cycle So…what is the difference between a rock and a mineral? A mineral is a naturally formed solid material with a crystal structure Quartz Biotite mica Feldspar So…what is the difference between a rock and a mineral? A rock is a solid mixture of crystals of one or more minerals Granite: Quartz + Feldspar + Biotite mica The Three Types of Rock Igneous Obsidian Pumice Granite Form when lava or magma cools and hardens to form mineral crystals The Three Types of Rock Sedimentary Sandstone Shale Conglomerate Form when grains of rock (sediments) collect and harden into new rocks The Three Types of Rock Metamorphic Schist Gneiss Quartzite Form when rocks change as they are heated or squeezed Paths Through the Rock Cycle Sedimentary Rock Igneous Rock in g r he sion t e a E ro W & He Pr at & es su re We at h & E erin ros g ion Cooling Metamorphic Rock Melting Magma/Lava Rock cycle website Rock Cycle Song (Sing to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat") SEDIMENTARY rock Has been formed in layers Often found near water sources With fossils from decayers Then there's IGNEOUS rock Here since Earth was born Molten Lava, cooled and hardened That's how it is formed These two types of rocks Can also be transformed With pressure, heat and chemicals METAMORPHIC they'll become