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Smaller crystals form in igneous rocks if they are extrusive, meaning they formed at or near the Earth's surface. Because of the quick cooling of the magma/lava, there is no time for the crystal structure to expand, leaving it smaller than if it was an intrusive rock (forming inside the Earth, below the surface).

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What is the texture called when an igneous rock with large crystals scattered on a background of much smaller crystals?

The texture is called porphyritic. It forms when an igneous rock cools at different rates, resulting in large crystals (phenocrysts) surrounded by a matrix of smaller crystals (groundmass).


Are large crystals intrusive or extrusive igneous rock?

Large crystals are typically characteristic of intrusive igneous rocks, which form beneath the Earth's surface from slow cooling of magma. Extrusive igneous rocks cool quickly at or near the Earth's surface, resulting in smaller crystals or glassy textures.


Do igneous rocks have small crystals large crystals or no crystals?

Igneous rocks can have both small and large crystals, depending on how quickly they cool. If an igneous rock cools slowly beneath the Earth's surface, it can form large crystals, while rapid cooling at the Earth's surface or in an eruption can result in small or no visible crystals.


Does melted rock that cools quickly result in igneous rock with large mineral crystals?

No, melted rock that cools quickly result in igneous rock with large minerals because large crystals take time to form and the rocks that usually have them are the ones that were formed inside the earth.


True or false intrusive igneous rock forms small crystals because it cools rapidly?

True. Intrusive igneous rock, also known as plutonic rock, forms larger crystals because it cools slowly underground. Extrusive igneous rocks cool rapidly on the Earth's surface, forming smaller crystals.

Related Questions

What is an igneous rock with crystals?

Granite with larger crystals, basalt with smaller crystals.


What is an igneous rock with small crystals?

If you're not looking for anything specific, any extrusive igneous rock will have smaller crystals, if any at all. This is because they cool quickly on the surface, leaving little time for crystals to form/grow.


What is the texture called when an igneous rock with large crystals scattered on a background of much smaller crystals?

The texture is called porphyritic. It forms when an igneous rock cools at different rates, resulting in large crystals (phenocrysts) surrounded by a matrix of smaller crystals (groundmass).


What rock forms when tiny crystals in magma form?

igneous rock


What determines whether igneous rock is intrusive or extrusive A. the density of the rock B. the chemical composition of the rock C. where crystals in the rock are found D. where the rock was formed?

D. where the rock was formed determines whether igneous rock is intrusive or extrusive. Intrusive igneous rocks form from magma that cools slowly beneath the Earth's surface, allowing larger crystals to develop. In contrast, extrusive igneous rocks form from lava that cools quickly on the surface, resulting in smaller crystals. Thus, the location of formation is key to classifying igneous rocks.


Are large crystals intrusive or extrusive igneous rock?

Large crystals are typically characteristic of intrusive igneous rocks, which form beneath the Earth's surface from slow cooling of magma. Extrusive igneous rocks cool quickly at or near the Earth's surface, resulting in smaller crystals or glassy textures.


How is the size of crystals in an igneous rock related to the formation of a rock?

If an igneous rock is formed from slowly cooling magma under the ground, it has more time to form crystals and so the crystals it forms are much larger than igneous rock formed from more quickly cooling magma or lava.


Why would granite have larger crystals than igneous rocks formed from lava cooled above earths surface?

I think igneous rock have a larger crystal than all the others because igneous rock is all the way at the bottom of earth surface and it keeps cool of or hot at the same time.


You find an igneous rock with no visible mineral crystals were did this rock most likely form?

in a cave


What type of rock forms when tiny crystals in magma form?

When tiny crystals form in magma, they create an igneous rock known as "intrusive" or "plutonic" rock. This occurs when magma cools slowly beneath the Earth's surface, allowing the crystals to grow larger, such as in granite. If the magma cools quickly on the surface, it forms "extrusive" or "volcanic" rock, like basalt, where the crystals are much smaller.


Do igneous rocks have small crystals large crystals or no crystals?

Igneous rocks can have both small and large crystals, depending on how quickly they cool. If an igneous rock cools slowly beneath the Earth's surface, it can form large crystals, while rapid cooling at the Earth's surface or in an eruption can result in small or no visible crystals.


What igneous rock has crystals that are not visible?

Extrusive igneous rock consists of mineral crystals that are not observable with the naked eye. Obsidian is an extrusive igneous rock (volcanic glass) where there technically are no mineral crystals.