A sample of granite contains various oxides of silicon, aluminum,

Subject : Chemistry

Question:

A sample of granite contains various oxides of silicon, aluminum, sodium, potassium, calcium, and iron. Each of these oxides gives the granite a coarse-grained texture. Which term or terms could be used to describe this sample of granite?

Expert Verified Solution:

Answer Description:
Granite is an igneous rock that is known for its coarse-grained texture, which is a result of the slow cooling of magma beneath the Earth’s surface, allowing large crystals to form. The presence of various oxides in the sample, such as those of silicon, aluminum, sodium, potassium, calcium, and iron, contribute to its mineral composition and overall characteristics.

1.Terms that could describe this granite sample:

• Igneous: Granite is an igneous rock formed from the solidification of magma or lava.
• Intrusive: Granite is specifically classified as an intrusive igneous rock, meaning it forms beneath the Earth’s surface.
• Coarse-Grained: The term “coarse-grained” refers to the large crystal sizes in granite, which are visible to the naked eye.
• Felsic: This term describes granite’s high content of silica and light-colored minerals, such as quartz and feldspar, making it a felsic rock.
• Plutonic: Another term that can describe granite, indicating it formed deep within the Earth.