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Rock Classification: Understanding Texture and Grain Characteristics

Learn how texture helps geologists classify rocks based on grain size, shape, and pattern. Explore the major rock groups and tests used to identify minerals in rocks.

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Rock Classification: Understanding Texture and Grain Characteristics

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  1. Chapter 5 Rocks Classifying Rocks

  2. Figure 3 Texture helps geologists classify rocks. Forming Operational Definitions – Looking at the rocks below, describe the characteristics of a rock that help you define what a rock’s “grain” is.

  3. Figure 3: Sample Answer • Texture is described with the terms based on: • Grain size • Fine-grained • Coarse-grained • Grain shape • Smooth • Jagged • Grain pattern • banded • nonbanded

  4. What characteristics are used to identify rocks? • When studying a rock sample, geologists observe the rock’s • Color • Texture • Determine its mineral composition

  5. What are the three major groups of rocks? • Igneous rock • Forms from the cooling of molten rock – either magma below the surface or lava at the surface • Sedimentary rock • Forms when particles of other rocks or the remains of plants and animals are pressed and cemented together • Forms below the surface • Metamorphic rock • Forms when an existing rock is changed by heat, pressure, or chemical reactions • Most metamorphic rock forms deep underground

  6. What tests do geologists use to identify minerals in rocks? • Scratch Test (Mohs) • Use acid to determine whether the rock contains the mineral calcite • Magnet test

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