Igneous rocks

Are the starting point in the rock cycle. That is the materials that make up
other two types of rocks, the sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, are
derived from a source that is igneous. Igneous rocks are found on the earths
mantle. It can be said that 70% of the earths mass and 80% of the earths
volume consists of mantle rocks. Igneous rocks are derived from the
convection in the earths mantle, and the source of heat energy for this
convection is found in radioactive isotopes of potassium, uranium, and
thorium.
One obvious consequence of the heat in the earths interior is the
presence of volcanoes on the earths surface. Volcanic rocks characteristics:
1. they crystallize in the surface of the earth; 2. they are commonly finegrained; and 3. they rest on top of older rocks rather than cut across them.
These rocks start out in the liquid state and then become solid.
Sedimentary rocks
Classified as secondary rocks because they come from igneous rocks.
They are also secondary because they come from the aggression of pebbles
and sand that have compacted over time to form rocks. Three types of grains
(size): coarse, medium, and fine. Sedimentary rocks can also classified into
three types: clastic (clasts), chemical (water evaporates) and
organic/biogenic (fossil). Example: Sandstone, shale, limestone,
conglomerate. Undergo weathering.
Weathering is the alteration of rocks to more stable material from their
exposure to the agents of air, water, and organic fluids. No rock is stable or
immune to weathering. Many pathways and agents are involved in
weathering, but most can be grouped into two main processes: mechanical
and chemical weathering.
Mechanical weathering includes processes that fragment and disintegrate
rocks into smaller pieces without changing the rock's mineral composition.
Chemical weathering is the alteration of the rock into new minerals. Both
pathways constitute weathering, but one process may dominate over the
other.
The two processes can be demonstrated with a piece of paper. It can be
torn into smaller pieces, which is analogous to mechanical weathering. It also
can be burned into carbon dioxide and water, which is analogous to chemical
weathering.
A rock that is weathered into new minerals but still looks somewhat like
the parent rock is called a saprolite. If the saprolite fragments are
subsequently removed from the site by water, wind, gravity, or ice, erosion
has taken place.

 Metamorphic rocks
Are subjected to mechanical forces as well as to extreme physical
conditions, such as temperature. This group of rocks include other types like
igneous and sedimentary. Metamorphism when the rocks are in the solid
state. Example: Slate, Diamonds