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The three main groups, igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary are all part of the rock cycle. They are different in the way they formed and in their properties. Igneous rocks are formed when magma/lava cools and solidifies; metamorphic rocks are formed when a buried existing rock is heated up by the Earth's natural heat and is altered in its structure; and sedimentary rocks are formed when existing igneous or metamorphic rocks are weathered and eroded, and the resulting rock fragments are compacted together to produce a new rock. Each of these 3 types of rock can become any of the other types; ie an igneous rock can be subjected to further heating, which alters its structure, and turn into a metamorphic rock; or a sedimentary rock could be drawn back down into the Earth's molten mantle via a subduction zone, undego melting, and then later rise back to the surface and solidify to become an igneous rock.

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What makes the 3 types of rocks different?

The three types of rocks - igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic - are different in terms of how they are formed. Igneous rocks are formed from the cooling and solidification of molten material, sedimentary rocks are formed from the accumulation and cementation of mineral and organic particles, while metamorphic rocks are formed from the alteration of existing rocks due to heat and pressure within the Earth's crust.


How many different types of rock are there?

There are three main types of rock: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Each type forms through different processes, such as cooling and solidification for igneous rocks, deposition and lithification for sedimentary rocks, and heat and pressure for metamorphic rocks.


What are 3 types of rocks found in the lithosphere?

The three main types of rocks found in the lithosphere are igneous rocks, which form from cooled and solidified magma; sedimentary rocks, which result from the accumulation and compression of sediments; and metamorphic rocks, which are formed from the alteration of existing rocks due to high pressure and temperature.


How many different types of rocks are there in the world?

There are three different rock types which are called igneous; rocks formed by the cooling of lava and magma (molten rock), sedimentary; rocks formed when weathered particles of other rocks and fossils are compacted and cemented together at the bottom of rivers and the sea and metamorphic; formed when other rocks are changed by heat and pressure underground. There are many individual rocks within each of these categories.


How many different rock groups are there?

There are countless rock groups around the world spanning various subgenres and styles, making it difficult to determine an exact number. New rock groups are constantly forming while others disband, so the number is always changing. Ultimately, the number of rock groups is vast and continually evolving.

Related Questions

What do the 3 major groups have in common how are they different?

they both make up the earths crust. they are formed different.


Are rocks classified by were they are found?

Rocks are labeled by 3 groups. Igneous, Metamorphic, and Sedimentary.


What are the 3 main groups of rocks?

Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic


How many different ways can 3 people carry four rocks in their backpack?

To determine how many different ways 3 people can carry 4 rocks, we can use the "stars and bars" combinatorial method. We treat the rocks as indistinguishable items (stars) and the people as distinct groups (bars). The formula for distributing (n) indistinguishable items into (k) distinct groups is given by (\binom{n+k-1}{k-1}). In this case, (n = 4) (rocks) and (k = 3) (people), resulting in (\binom{4+3-1}{3-1} = \binom{6}{2} = 15) ways.


How are rocks physically classified?

they are classified into 3 major kinds of rocksthey are the ;IGNEOUS ROCKS,SEDIMENTARY ROCKS,AND METAMORPHIC ROCKS


What are the 3 rocks groups?

Igneous, Greek for 'from fire', metamorphic, and sedimentary.


What are the different groups of 3 that you can make with 9?

You can make three different groups of three out of nine. 9/3=3


What are 3 major rock types?

Igneous Rocks,Sedimentary Rocks,Metamorphic Rocks.


What group is sandstone rock categorized in for the 3 main groups of rocks?

sedimentary


Different kinds of rocks and its picture?

There are 3 main kinds of rocks. These 3 types of rocks are Igneous, Metamorphic and Sedimentary and pictures can be found in books at your local library.


What are the 3 enthic groups in Nepal?

there are 36 ethnic groups in nepal....the major ones are brahmin chettri and magar


What vertebrate group has three major groups egg-laying pouched and placental?

Mammals has these 3 groups .