Granite is an igneous rock that forms from magma cooled below Earth's surface.Why would granite have larger crystals than igneous rocks formed from lava cooled above Earth's surface?
It cools slower underground, time for crystals to form in the liquid as it solidifys.
you stupid
Granite typically has larger crystals compared to igneous rocks formed from lava cooled above the Earth's surface because of the difference in cooling rates. When magma cools below the surface, it has a longer time to cool slowly, allowing the crystals to grow larger. The slower cooling rate allows the atoms in the magma to arrange themselves in an orderly manner, resulting in the formation of larger mineral crystals.
On the other hand, when lava is exposed to the Earth's surface, it cools much more rapidly due to the lower temperature outside. This rapid cooling prevents the crystals from growing as large. The fast cooling rate does not allow enough time for the atoms to arrange themselves in an ordered pattern, resulting in the formation of smaller crystals or even a glassy texture.
Therefore, the difference in cooling rates between magma cooling beneath the Earth's surface and lava cooling above the Earth's surface is the reason why granite typically has larger crystals compared to igneous rocks formed from lava.
Granite has larger crystals compared to igneous rocks formed from lava cooled above Earth's surface because of the difference in cooling rates. Let me explain further:
When magma cools slowly below the Earth's surface, it provides more time for the crystals to grow. The slow cooling allows the atoms in the magma to arrange themselves in an orderly manner, forming larger crystals. This is known as intrusive or plutonic rock formation, as the magma is trapped beneath the surface.
On the other hand, when lava cools quickly at the Earth's surface, the cooling process is rapid. The lava is exposed to cooler temperatures, and the cooling happens much more quickly. This rapid cooling doesn't provide enough time for the crystals to grow to a significant size. As a result, the crystals in extrusive or volcanic igneous rocks tend to be smaller.
So, the main factor that contributes to the difference in crystal size between granite (an intrusive rock) and igneous rocks formed from lava (extrusive rocks) is the cooling rate. Slower cooling allows for larger crystal growth, while faster cooling restricts crystal growth, resulting in smaller crystals.