Granite

High school (ages 12+)
Environment & Earth

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/granite

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the geological classification?Coarse-grained (phaneritic) intrusive igneous rock
2. What is the mineralogical composition (QAPF)?Predominantly quartz and alkali feldspar, with subordinate plagioclase feldspar
3. What is granite and why is it so strong?Granite is a hard rock that forms deep underground when magma cools very slowly, letting big crystals grow. This slow cooling makes it tough and resistant to scratching.
4. How does granite get its colorful patterns?Granite contains quartz, alkali feldspar, and sometimes dark minerals like biotite or hornblende. These minerals give granite its speckled colors and patterns.

Phaneritic Texture: A texture in igneous rocks characterized by large, visible mineral crystals formed by slow cooling.
Intrusive Igneous Rock: Rock formed from magma that cools and solidifies beneath the Earth's surface, resulting in larger crystal sizes.
QAPF Diagram: A classification diagram used to categorize igneous rocks based on the relative percentages of quartz, alkali feldspar, plagioclase, and feldspathoid minerals.