Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

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. 
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.

Question 3

How would a Vulcanist explain the formation of rocks on primitive Earth? (3.3)

Accepted Answer

The Vulcanists opposed the Neptunists an

Question 4

Why were the Neptunists named so?

Accepted Answer

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. 
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 5

Why is plutonic a synonym of intrusive?

Accepted Answer

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. 
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 6

What may result from transportation and deposition?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 7

All of the following are examples of descriptive classifications except

Accepted Answer

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. 
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

Sedimentary rocks form

Accepted Answer

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. 
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 9

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 11

Almost all natural rocks are consolidated aggregates of minerals.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

How would a metamorphic rock become a sedimentary rock?

Accepted Answer

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. 
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 13

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

Accepted Answer

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. 
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 14

A descriptive classification scheme only requires good powers of observation.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Which pair of processes transforms metamorphic rocks to igneous rocks?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 16

Why are Genetic classifications so helpful?

Accepted Answer

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. 
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 17

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

Accepted Answer

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. 
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 18

Which types of rocks can exhibit layering?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 19

What may result from weathering/erosion?

Accepted Answer

A)  Sedimentary rock turns to fragments. 
B)  Igneous rock melts. 
C)  Metamorphic rock turns into sedimentary rock. 
D)  Sedimentary rock turns into metamorphic rock. 
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 20

You are given two volcanic rock samples; one is said to have been ripped from the walls of the volcano, and the other is a cooled sample from a molten river. How can you tell which is which?(3.1)

Accepted Answer

Both samples are composed of the same mi

Exam 3: Rocks and Rock-Forming Processes

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

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

How would a Vulcanist explain the formation of rocks on primitive Earth? (3.3)

Why were the Neptunists named so?

Why is plutonic a synonym of intrusive?

What may result from transportation and deposition?

All of the following are examples of descriptive classifications except

Sedimentary rocks form

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

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

Almost all natural rocks are consolidated aggregates of minerals.

How would a metamorphic rock become a sedimentary rock?

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

A descriptive classification scheme only requires good powers of observation.

Which pair of processes transforms metamorphic rocks to igneous rocks?

Why are Genetic classifications so helpful?

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

Which types of rocks can exhibit layering?

What may result from weathering/erosion?

You are given two volcanic rock samples; one is said to have been ripped from the walls of the volcano, and the other is a cooled sample from a molten river. How can you tell which is which?(3.1)

Why Study Earth

Minerals: Building Blocks of the Planet

Formation of Magma and Igneous Rocks

Formation of Sediment and Sedimentary Rocks

Formation of Metamorphic Rocks

Earth Materials As Time Keepers

Earth Materials As Time Keepers

Making Earth

Motion Inside Earth

Deformation of Rocks

Global Tectonics: Plates and Plumes

Tectonics and Surface Relief

Soil Formation and Landscape Stability

Mass Movements: Landscapes in Motion

Streams: Flowing Water Shapes the Landscape

Water Flowing Underground

Glaciers: Cold-Climate Sculptors of Continents

Shorelines: Changing Landscapes Where Land Meets Sea

Wind: a Global Geologic Process

Global Warming: Real Time Change in the Earth System

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