TeXes Science Practice Test

What role does temperature and pressure play in recrystallization?

1. They conserve fossils over time.

2. They determine the acidity of sediments.

3. They induce changes in original minerals.

4. They dictate sedimentary layering.

The correct answer is: They induce changes in original minerals.

Temperature and pressure are critical factors in the process of recrystallization, influencing how minerals within rock formations change and evolve over time. During recrystallization, existing minerals undergo transformations that lead to the formation of new mineral structures or the growth of crystals within a rock. Increased temperature can provide the necessary energy for atoms within minerals to move and rearrange, while elevated pressure can assist in overcoming the barriers to these structural changes. In essence, the conditions created by temperature and pressure facilitate the alteration of mineral compositions and structures, which can enhance the stability of minerals under metamorphic conditions. This process is important in the formation of metamorphic rocks, where original minerals are transformed into new minerals that are stable at higher temperatures and pressures, leading to unique textural and compositional characteristics that distinguish them from their parent rocks. Thus, the influence of temperature and pressure in inducing changes in original minerals is a fundamental aspect of geological transformations during the rock cycle.