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Rock Definition

A rock is a naturally formed combination of minerals and other materials. For example, igneous rocks form from cooled magma.

View Lesson on Rocks & Minerals (Including Rock Cycle)
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Rocks & Minerals (Including Rock Cycle)

LESSON MATERIALSmove

Fun Facts

  • Rocks can change from one type to another through a series of processes known as the rock cycle.
  • Rocks can melt from solids to liquids. When sand is heated up to high temperatures, glass forms.
  • No two rocks are exactly the same.

Why Do We Need To Know About Rock

Learning about rocks helps us see how important they are in everyday life. For example, gabbro is important for making roads and granite is often used to build buildings. Coal is used to make electricity and shale is used to make bricks, showing how rocks are important in building things and providing energy.

Rocks also help scientists learn more about the Earth and technology. By studying rocks and minerals, scientists can find important materials like aluminum and copper, which are used in electronics and cars. Also, looking at rocks on Earth and other planets helps us learn about the history of life and the universe, showing us how important rocks are for our knowledge and civilization.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are rocks and minerals different?
Minerals are solid, naturally formed substances that always have the same composition and the same properties. Rocks are made of minerals.
How do crystals form?
Hot water dissolves minerals. When the water evaporates, it leaves behind the dissolved minerals in a crystal structure.
Describe three ways rocks make our lives easier.
Gabbro is a type of rock used to make roads; granite is used in building materials; coal is used to generate electricity; and shale is used to make bricks.
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