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Correct Answer: it produces a solid with large crystals.
when magma cools slowly beneath the earth's surface, it results in the formation of igneous rocks with large crystals. this slow cooling process allows the minerals within the magma sufficient time to grow and form well-defined, large crystalline structures. the size of the crystals in igneous rocks is directly related to the rate of cooling of the magma: the slower the cooling, the larger the crystals.
the correct answer to the question is that slow cooling of magma produces a solid with large crystals. this is because the extended period over which the magma cools allows atoms more time to move and arrange themselves into a well-ordered crystal lattice, resulting in the formation of large crystals. for example, granite is a type of igneous rock that forms from slowly cooled magma and typically features large, visible crystals of minerals such as quartz, feldspar, and mica.
false answers explained:
1. "it produces an amorphous solid with no crystals" - this statement is incorrect as it describes the result of rapid cooling, such as what occurs when lava is quenched quickly at the earth's surface, forming volcanic glass, such as obsidian, which lacks a crystalline structure.
2. "it produces a solid with microscopic crystals" - this answer describes magma that has cooled more quickly than that which forms large crystals but not as rapidly as to produce volcanic glass. this scenario leads to the formation of rocks like basalt, which has fine-grained crystals that are hard to see with the naked eye.
3. "there is no way to predict how large the crystals will be" - this statement is false because the size of the crystals can generally be predicted based on the cooling rate of the magma. slow cooling typically results in the formation of large crystals, whereas rapid cooling results in small or no crystals.
understanding how different cooling rates affect the mineralogy and texture of igneous rocks is fundamental in the field of geology. it helps in interpreting the geological history of an area and in assessing the conditions under which different types of rocks were formed.
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