Which type of rock forms from the cooling and solidification of molten rock?

Prepare for the Virginia 7th Grade Science SOL Test. Incorporate flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and detailed explanations. Ensure your success on the exam!

Multiple Choice

Which type of rock forms from the cooling and solidification of molten rock?

Explanation:
Igneous rocks form when molten rock cools and solidifies. When magma stays underground and cools slowly, it creates coarse crystals; when lava erupts onto the surface and cools rapidly, it forms small crystals or even volcanic glass. This cooling-and-solidification process is what makes igneous rocks distinct from sedimentary rocks, which come from compacted sediments, and metamorphic rocks, which are transformed by heat and pressure without melting. Gypsum, on the other hand, is a mineral that forms through evaporation or precipitation, not by cooling molten rock.

Igneous rocks form when molten rock cools and solidifies. When magma stays underground and cools slowly, it creates coarse crystals; when lava erupts onto the surface and cools rapidly, it forms small crystals or even volcanic glass. This cooling-and-solidification process is what makes igneous rocks distinct from sedimentary rocks, which come from compacted sediments, and metamorphic rocks, which are transformed by heat and pressure without melting. Gypsum, on the other hand, is a mineral that forms through evaporation or precipitation, not by cooling molten rock.

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