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Chapter 6: Problem 1

How does the process of freezing magma resemble that of freezing water? How is it different? (A)

Short Answer

Expert verified
The process of freezing magma resembles that of freezing water in that both involve a change of state (from liquid to solid) and a release of energy in the form of latent heat. However, there are differences, such as water having a specific freezing point at 0°C while magma has a range of freezing points due to its complex mineral composition. Additionally, the freezing process of magma produces various types of igneous rocks, whereas freezing water produces ice with a consistent hexagonal lattice structure.

Step by step solution

01

Properties of Magma and Water

Magma is a hot, molten or semi-molten rock material found underneath the Earth's surface. It contains various minerals and gas inclusions. Water, on the other hand, is a transparent, colorless and odourless chemical substance that has a boiling point of 100°C (at 1 atm pressure) and a melting point of 0°C (at 1 atm pressure).
02

Freezing Process of Water

The freezing process of water occurs when it cools down to 0°C (32°F) under normal atmospheric pressure (1 atm) and changes its state from liquid to solid (ice). It involves the formation of hydrogen bonds between water molecules, which creates a hexagonal lattice structure.
03

Freezing Process of Magma

Magma, being a mixture of minerals, freezes over a range of temperatures instead of a specific freezing point like water. The process of freezing magma, also known as crystallization, occurs when the temperature drops below the solidification point of the minerals present in the magma. As the temperature lowers, different minerals crystallize at different times, forming various types of igneous rocks.
04

Similarity: Energy Change and State Change

The process of freezing magma resembles that of freezing water in that both processes involve a change of state (from liquid to solid) and a release of energy in the form of latent heat. As both water and magma freeze, their particles lose energy and slow down, causing them to arrange into a well-ordered solid state.
05

Difference: Freezing Point and Composition

There are differences between the two freezing processes as well. The most notable difference is the freezing point. Water has a specific freezing point at 0°C, whereas magma has a range of freezing points due to its complex mineral composition. Additionally, the freezing process of magma produces different types of rocks depending on the composition and cooling rate, whereas freezing water produces ice with a consistent hexagonal lattice structure.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

This photograph shows a nearly horizontal layer of basalt that now crops out as a cliff along the Hudson River, across from New York City. It is parallel to layers of sandstone above and below, and is younger than all of those layers. The basalt intruded at \(190 \mathrm{Ma}\), as Pangaea was breaking apart. What is this body of basalt, and in what geologic setting did it form? (E)

Describe the three processes responsible for the formation of magmas. (C)

The Cascade volcanic arc of the northwestern United States is only about \(800 \mathrm{~km}\) long. The Andean arc of western South America is several thousand kilometers long. Look at a map showing the Earth's plate boundaries, and explain why the Andean arc is so much longer than the Cascade arc (E).

What factors control the cooling rate of a magma within the crust? (C)

What process in the mantle may be responsible for causing hot-spot volcanoes to form? (E)
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