MEA 101 Exam #2 [2026] UPDATED ACTUAL Exam
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
what are the steps of the rock cycle -✓✓ compaction & cementation This happens when
sediments become a solid rock. (example: sand becomes sandstone)
heat and pressure These are two geological forces that change other rock types into
metamorphic rock.
weathering, erosion & deposition This happens when rocks are worn down, broken
apart or when parts of rocks are relocated in a pile of sediments.
• definition of a mineral -✓✓ has a regular internal (atomic) structure. has a specific
composition (within specified limits)
• crystalline rock -✓✓ rocks made of crystals. contain interlocking crystals that grew
together. typically formed in high-temperature environments from crystallization of
magma, metamorphism, or from precipitation of hot water
• clastic rock -✓✓ consisting of pieces derived from other rocks. form on the earth's
surface in low-temperature environments such as sand dunes, rivers and beaches. they
also make up some volcanic rocks.
• what is the basic structure of a silicate mineral -✓✓ tetrahedron
• how many bonds does silicon make in minerals -✓✓ 4
• name two mineral types that have chain structure -✓✓ Amphibilole and pyroxene
• name two minerals that have a sheet structure -✓✓ Biotite and muscovite
• what element is most responsible for minerals being dark -✓✓ Iron
• structure of pyroxene -✓✓ Chain
• structure of amphibole -✓✓ Chain
• structure of biotite -✓✓ Sheet
• structure of muscovite -✓✓ Sheet
• structure of feldspar -✓✓ 3D lattices
, • structure of quartz -✓✓ 3D framework
• structure of clay minerals -✓✓ sheet
• mineral calcite -✓✓ non-silicate. calcium carbonate. limestone. marble. soft. used for
sculptures.
• mineral gypsum -✓✓ non-silicate. wallboard.
• 8 common elements in rocks -✓✓ O, Si, Al, Fe, Ca, K, Na, Mg
• what is the most important factor controlling the grain size of igneous rocks -✓✓
Where/how quickly they cooled
• igneous rock -✓✓ form from solidification of melt (magma). crystalline rock.
extrusive-erupt on surface
intrusive-crystallizes beneath surface
• what causes vesicles in igneous rocks -✓✓ gas expansion during eruption
• felsic fine grained -✓✓ rhyolite
• mafic fine grained -✓✓ basalt
• felsic coarse grained -✓✓ granite
• intermediate coarse grained -✓✓ diorite
• mafic coarse grained -✓✓ gabbro
• what is the difference between mafic, felsic, and intermediate rocks -✓✓ Their
concentrations of iron and silica.
mafic- low silica
felsic- high silica
• what causes melting in the upwelling mantle beneath a spreading center -✓✓ Pressure
released melting
• what effect does pressure have on melting temperature -✓✓ Melting temperature
decreases with pressure
• what effect does liquid in a magma have on melting temperature -✓✓ Adding water
lowers melting point
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
what are the steps of the rock cycle -✓✓ compaction & cementation This happens when
sediments become a solid rock. (example: sand becomes sandstone)
heat and pressure These are two geological forces that change other rock types into
metamorphic rock.
weathering, erosion & deposition This happens when rocks are worn down, broken
apart or when parts of rocks are relocated in a pile of sediments.
• definition of a mineral -✓✓ has a regular internal (atomic) structure. has a specific
composition (within specified limits)
• crystalline rock -✓✓ rocks made of crystals. contain interlocking crystals that grew
together. typically formed in high-temperature environments from crystallization of
magma, metamorphism, or from precipitation of hot water
• clastic rock -✓✓ consisting of pieces derived from other rocks. form on the earth's
surface in low-temperature environments such as sand dunes, rivers and beaches. they
also make up some volcanic rocks.
• what is the basic structure of a silicate mineral -✓✓ tetrahedron
• how many bonds does silicon make in minerals -✓✓ 4
• name two mineral types that have chain structure -✓✓ Amphibilole and pyroxene
• name two minerals that have a sheet structure -✓✓ Biotite and muscovite
• what element is most responsible for minerals being dark -✓✓ Iron
• structure of pyroxene -✓✓ Chain
• structure of amphibole -✓✓ Chain
• structure of biotite -✓✓ Sheet
• structure of muscovite -✓✓ Sheet
• structure of feldspar -✓✓ 3D lattices
, • structure of quartz -✓✓ 3D framework
• structure of clay minerals -✓✓ sheet
• mineral calcite -✓✓ non-silicate. calcium carbonate. limestone. marble. soft. used for
sculptures.
• mineral gypsum -✓✓ non-silicate. wallboard.
• 8 common elements in rocks -✓✓ O, Si, Al, Fe, Ca, K, Na, Mg
• what is the most important factor controlling the grain size of igneous rocks -✓✓
Where/how quickly they cooled
• igneous rock -✓✓ form from solidification of melt (magma). crystalline rock.
extrusive-erupt on surface
intrusive-crystallizes beneath surface
• what causes vesicles in igneous rocks -✓✓ gas expansion during eruption
• felsic fine grained -✓✓ rhyolite
• mafic fine grained -✓✓ basalt
• felsic coarse grained -✓✓ granite
• intermediate coarse grained -✓✓ diorite
• mafic coarse grained -✓✓ gabbro
• what is the difference between mafic, felsic, and intermediate rocks -✓✓ Their
concentrations of iron and silica.
mafic- low silica
felsic- high silica
• what causes melting in the upwelling mantle beneath a spreading center -✓✓ Pressure
released melting
• what effect does pressure have on melting temperature -✓✓ Melting temperature
decreases with pressure
• what effect does liquid in a magma have on melting temperature -✓✓ Adding water
lowers melting point
