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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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βˆ™ 5mo ago

If smaller crystals in igneous rock form when the molten rock cools quickly, leading to rapid crystal growth. The fast cooling prevents large crystals from forming, resulting in fine-grained textures in the rock.

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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.


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.


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

No, melted rock that cools quickly will result in igneous rock with small mineral crystals, because there is not enough time for the crystals to grow larger. Igneous rocks with large mineral crystals usually form from slowly cooled magma deep beneath the Earth's surface.

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?

An igneous rock with small crystals is called a fine-grained igneous rock. These rocks form when molten rock cools quickly at or near the Earth's surface, preventing large crystals from forming. Examples include basalt and rhyolite.


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


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?

The size of crystals in an igneous rock is typically determined by the cooling rate of the magma. Slower cooling results in larger crystals, while rapid cooling forms smaller crystals. This relationship is due to the amount of time available for atoms to arrange and grow into a crystal lattice structure during the solidification process.


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


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?

Aphanitic igneous rocks, such as basalt or rhyolite, have crystals that are too small to be visible to the naked eye. These rocks form when molten lava cools quickly on the Earth's surface, preventing large crystals from forming.


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.


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

No, melted rock that cools quickly will result in igneous rock with small mineral crystals, because there is not enough time for the crystals to grow larger. Igneous rocks with large mineral crystals usually form from slowly cooled magma deep beneath the Earth's surface.