What are rocks?

A rock is a solid mass of geological materials. Geological materials include individual mineral crystals, inorganic non-mineral solids like glass, pieces broken from other rocks, and even fossils.

How are rocks formed?

When soil and surface materials erode over time, they leave layers of sediments. Over long periods of time, layer upon layer of sediments form, putting intense pressure on the oldest layers. Under great pressure and heat, lower layers of sediments eventually turn into rocks.

What are minerals?

A mineral is a naturally occurring inorganic element or compound having an orderly internal structure and characteristic chemical composition, crystal form, and physical properties. Common minerals include quartz, feldspar, mica, amphibole, olivine, and calcite.

How are minerals formed?

Minerals form as magma or lava cools. Minerals form when they precipitate from hot fluids that have cooled down. Minerals form from dissolved substances when water evaporates.

What is soil?

Soil can be classified into three primary types based on its texture – sand, silt and clay. However, the percentage of these can vary, resulting in more compound types of soil such as loamy sand, sandy clay, silty clay, etc. 2.

How is soil formed?

Soil minerals form the basis of soil. They are produced from rocks (parent material) through the processes of weathering and natural erosion. Water, wind, temperature change, gravity, chemical interaction, living organisms and pressure differences all help break down parent material.