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Because intrusive rocks cool more slowly which makes the rocks larger.

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Is an intrusive crystal bigger than an extrusive crystal?

Typically, intrusive crystals are larger than extrusive crystals because intrusive rocks cool slowly beneath the Earth's surface, allowing larger crystals to form, while extrusive rocks cool quickly at the surface, producing smaller crystals.


Why would you expect the crystals in an intrusive rock to be larger than the crystals in the extrusive rock?

Because as an intrusive rock cools underground, it will normally cool more slowly than an extrusive (surface) rock. The slow cooling allows more time for the crystals to grow.


Is this true or false Intrusive rocks have smaller crystals than extrusive rocks?

Generally, false. Intrusive rocks cool far more slowly than extrusive ones, so the crystals have time to grow larger.


Do extrusive rocks have larger grains than intrusive rocks?

No, extrusive rocks typically have smaller grains than intrusive rocks. Extrusive rocks form from lava that cools quickly on the Earth's surface, resulting in fine-grained or glassy textures. In contrast, intrusive rocks form from magma that cools slowly beneath the surface, allowing larger crystals to develop. Thus, intrusive rocks generally have larger grains compared to extrusive rocks.


Why would you except the crystals in a intrusive rock to be larger than the crystals in a extrusive rock?

Minerals formed in intrusive rock cool more slowly than extrusive rock, which is closer to the surface. The longer cooling period allows more time for crystal formation.

Related Questions

Is an intrusive crystal bigger than an extrusive crystal?

Typically, intrusive crystals are larger than extrusive crystals because intrusive rocks cool slowly beneath the Earth's surface, allowing larger crystals to form, while extrusive rocks cool quickly at the surface, producing smaller crystals.


Why would you expect the crystals in an intrusive rock to be larger than the crystals in the extrusive rock?

Because as an intrusive rock cools underground, it will normally cool more slowly than an extrusive (surface) rock. The slow cooling allows more time for the crystals to grow.


How does the rate of cooling influence crystal size of igneous rocks and how does that help you to distinguish between intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks?

The longer that magma is able to cool, the larger the crystals will be. Intrusive rocks will have larger crystals than extrusive rocks. For example granite (intrusive) has larger grains than rhyolite (extrusive).


Do you think extrusive or intrusive igneous rocks are likely to have larger crystals?

If a rock has large crystals, it is an intrusive rock. Intrusive rocks form underneath the Earth's surface. Magma cools slowly so it has time to form large crystals. An example is granite, where you can see the crystals with your naked eye. Rocks that have small crystals are extrusive rocks. Extrusive rocks are ones that form from lava (blasted out of a volcano) so they cool very quickly, not allowing large crystals to form. An example is obsidian, where you cannot visibly see the small crystals; it just looks like one black, glassy rock.


Is this true or false Intrusive rocks have smaller crystals than extrusive rocks?

Generally, false. Intrusive rocks cool far more slowly than extrusive ones, so the crystals have time to grow larger.


Which igneous rock can be intrusive and extrusive?

A porphyritic igneous rock demonstrates some extrusive characteristics and some intrusive characteristics. The appearance of phenocrysts (larger crystals) in a fine matrix (small crystals) indicates that the magma had time to cool slowly enough underground to form larger crystals before being erupted at or near the surface.


Does intrusive rocks have smaller minerals than extrusive rocks?

No. Intrusive rocks have larger crystals because the magma would have taken longer to cool and solidify than extrusive magma.


What type of rock can be extrusive or intrusive?

Igneous rocks can be either extrusive or intrusive. Extrusive igneous rocks form from lava cooling quickly on or near the Earth's surface, resulting in small crystals. Intrusive igneous rocks form from magma cooling slowly beneath the Earth's surface, resulting in larger crystals.


Do extrusive rocks have larger grains than intrusive rocks?

No, extrusive rocks typically have smaller grains than intrusive rocks. Extrusive rocks form from lava that cools quickly on the Earth's surface, resulting in fine-grained or glassy textures. In contrast, intrusive rocks form from magma that cools slowly beneath the surface, allowing larger crystals to develop. Thus, intrusive rocks generally have larger grains compared to extrusive rocks.


Why would you except the crystals in a intrusive rock to be larger than the crystals in a extrusive rock?

Minerals formed in intrusive rock cool more slowly than extrusive rock, which is closer to the surface. The longer cooling period allows more time for crystal formation.


Is it true that intrusive rocks have similar crystals than extrusive rocks?

No, intrusive rocks typically have larger crystals due to slower cooling within the Earth's crust, while extrusive rocks have smaller crystals or a glassy texture because they cool quickly on the Earth's surface. The cooling rate affects crystal size in igneous rocks.


Does intrusive rock have smaller crystals than extrusive rock?

No. Intrusive rocks have larger crystals because of the increased time that the magma had available to cool. Elements necessary for mineral crystal growth can migrate more freely and thus form larger crystals during an extended fluid phase.