Types of Rocks Worksheet - Free Printable

Problem Overview:

The worksheet asks you to label different rock samples with their correct rock types (igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic) and answer questions about the differences between lava and magma, as well as how each type of rock is formed.

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Solution:

#### Step 1: Labeling the Rocks
We need to identify each rock sample based on its characteristics and assign it to one of the three rock types: igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic.

1. First Row:
- Left Image: This rock has a porous texture with visible holes (vesicles), which is characteristic of igneous rocks that cooled quickly from lava.
Label: Igneous
- Middle Image: This rock contains a fossilized fish, which is a clear indicator of sedimentary rock formation where organic material is preserved in layers of sediment.
Label: Sedimentary
- Right Image: This rock has distinct horizontal layers, which is typical of sedimentary rocks formed by the deposition of sediments over time.
Label: Sedimentary

2. Second Row:
- Left Image: This rock has a shiny, glassy appearance with sharp edges, indicating rapid cooling of lava on the Earth's surface.
Label: Igneous
- Middle Image: This rock shows banding and recrystallization, which are features of metamorphic rocks formed under high pressure and temperature.
Label: Metamorphic
- Third Image: This rock also shows banding and recrystallization, similar to the previous one, indicating metamorphism.
Label: Metamorphic
- Right Image: This rock has a speckled appearance with grains of different minerals, which is characteristic of sedimentary rocks like sandstone or conglomerate.
Label: Sedimentary

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#### Step 2: Answering the Questions

1. What is the difference between lava and magma?
- Lava: Lava is molten rock that has erupted onto the Earth's surface. It cools and solidifies outside the Earth.
- Magma: Magma is molten rock beneath the Earth's surface. It remains inside the Earth until it erupts as lava.

2. How are igneous rocks formed?
- Igneous rocks are formed when magma or lava cools and solidifies. If the cooling occurs below the Earth's surface, it is called intrusive igneous rock. If it occurs on the surface, it is called extrusive igneous rock.

3. How are sedimentary rocks formed?
- Sedimentary rocks are formed through the accumulation and compaction of sediments (such as sand, silt, clay, or organic material) over time. These sediments are deposited in layers (strata) and eventually cemented together.

4. How are metamorphic rocks formed?
- Metamorphic rocks are formed when existing rocks are subjected to high pressure, high temperature, or chemical changes deep within the Earth. These conditions cause the original rock to change its mineral composition and texture without melting completely.

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Final Answers:

1. Labels for the Rocks:
- First Row: Igneous, Sedimentary, Sedimentary
- Second Row: Igneous, Metamorphic, Metamorphic, Sedimentary

2. Answers to the Questions:
- Difference between lava and magma: Lava – outside the Earth; Magma – inside the Earth.
- How are igneous rocks formed? Magma or lava cooling.
- How are sedimentary rocks formed? Sediments forming layers.
- How are metamorphic rocks formed? High pressure or high temperature changes a pre-existing rock into a metamorphic rock.

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Final Answer Box:

\[
\boxed{
\text{Igneous, Sedimentary, Sedimentary, Igneous, Metamorphic, Metamorphic, Sedimentary}
}
\]