A

Atoms

The building blocks of matter

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B

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C

Crust

Rocky covering around the earth

Crystal

A solid composed of atoms arranged in an orderly pattern

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D

Density

The amount of mass per unit volume - the formula for finding density is divide the mass of the substance by the volume of the substance.

Dirt

Mixture of crusted rock and pieces of organic material from plants and animals which covers some area of the crust

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E

Element

A subtance such as iron, oxygen, and gold which cannot be separated or broken down by ordinary chemical methods

Extrusive Rock

Igneous rock formed from lava that solidifies on are near the earth's surface

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F

Foliation

The bands of mineral crystals that occur in metamorphic rocks

Fossils

Remains or evidence of a living thing

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G

Gem

A mineral that is rare, beautiful, and durable.

Geode

A hollow rock in which crystals have formed inside the cavity

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H

Hardness

The amount of scratch resistance on a mineral's surface

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I

Igneous Rock

Rock formed from melted rock

Intrusive Rock

Igneous rock formed when magma cools and solidifies beneath the earth's surface

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J

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K

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L

Lava

Melted magma from beneath the earth's crust which is forced up through cracks and pours forth from volcanoes

Luster

The amount of light reflected from the surface of a mineral

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M

Magma

Molten rock beneath the earth's crust

Mantle

Layer of the earth that extends from the bottom of the crust to the earth's core.

Metamorphic Rock

Rock which is changed physically and sometimes chemically when subjected to heat and pressure

Mineral

Substances which were never alive, made of one or more elements

Mineralogist

Scientist who studies minerals

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N

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O

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P

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Q

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R

Rock Cycle

Gradual and continuous change of rock in the earth's crust to igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rock

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S

Sediments

Small pieces of rocks, shells, or the remains of plants and animals that have been carried along and deposited by wind, water, or ice.

Sedimentary Rock

Crushed rock and organic material layered and compacted into new rock

Streak Color

The color a mineral leaves when rubbed across an unglazed white tile

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T

Texture

The feel of the surface of a mineral

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U

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V

Volcano

An opening in the earth's crust that has released molten rock

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W

Weathering

The process during which rocks are broken up into smaller particles by the action of water, the atmosphere, and organisms

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X

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Y

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Z

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