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The rate at which a rock cools will determine its grain or crystal size. Igneous rocks are widely classified into volcanic, hypabyssal and plutonic. Those that cool deep inside the earth are plutonic and those that cool and crystallize at or much near the Earth's surface are volcanic. The intermediate rocks are the hypabyssal ones. Volcanic rocks come immediately in contact with air or water and get quenched developing finer grained crystals that are best identified under a petrological microscope or a high power electron microscope. But plutonic rocks have a hell lot of time to cool due to their hotter surroundings resulting in well grown big crystals, which can usually be identified by naked eye or with the help of a hand lens. You should have now guessed the hypabyssal rocks will have medium sized crystals.

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What can determine the size of grains in igneous rocks?

Cooling rate of molten rock


Which igneous rocks are fine grained to due to fast cooling?

Extrusive igneous rocks are fine grained due to fast cooling. They cool at a faster rate than most igneous rocks.


Why do igneous rocks that have the same composition sometimes have different sizes of mineral grains?

This is as a result of difference in the rate of cooling of the Igneous rocks.


Crystallization from cooling magma describes one way that?

minerals form


What determines the size of grains in igneous rocks?

The cooling rate of molten rock


What are rocks that form when lava hardens?

Igneous, examples include Granite and Basalt


What are rocks form by crystallization and consolidation of molten magma?

Rocks formed by the crystallization and consolidation of molten magma are called igneous rocks. When magma cools and solidifies either underground or on the surface, it forms igneous rocks such as basalt, granite, and obsidian. The rate of cooling and the mineral composition determine the texture and appearance of the resulting rock.


Rocks that form as a result of cooling magma?

Igneous rocks form as a result of cooling magma. As the magma cools and solidifies, it forms rocks such as granite, basalt, and obsidian. The size of the mineral crystals in the rock is determined by the rate of cooling.


Rocks formed by the cooling and hardening of molten rock?

Igneous rocks are formed by the cooling and hardening of molten rock, either from volcanic activity or magma cooling below the Earth's surface. Examples include granite, basalt, and obsidian. These rocks can have coarse or fine textures depending on the rate of cooling.


Explain how igneous rocks form?

Igneous rocks form when molten rock, known as magma or lava, cools and solidifies. This process can occur either underground, resulting in intrusive igneous rocks, or above ground, resulting in extrusive igneous rocks. The rate of cooling affects the size of the crystals within the rock.


Igneous rocks form below earths surface?

Igneous rocks form below Earth's surface from the cooling and solidification of magma. The rate of cooling determines the texture of the rock, with slower cooling leading to larger crystals. Examples of these rocks include granite and diorite.


The formation of igneous rocks is powered by?

the cooling and solidification of molten magma or lava. This process occurs either underneath the Earth's surface, resulting in intrusive igneous rocks, or on the surface, leading to extrusive igneous rocks. The rate of cooling determines the texture and crystal size of the rock, with slower cooling allowing for larger crystals to form.