which of the following characteristics would you look for a piece of sandstone
When looking for specific characteristics in a piece of sandstone, there are a few key factors you can consider:
1. Grain Size: Sandstone is composed of sand-sized grains that are typically between 0.0625 to 2 millimeters in diameter. Look for grains that appear coarse or fine, depending on your desired sandstone type.
2. Composition: Sandstone usually consists of sand-sized grains of mineral, rock, or other materials bound together by a cementing agent. Common minerals found in sandstone include quartz, feldspar, calcite, and clay minerals. By examining the composition, you can identify the specific type of sandstone.
3. Color: Sandstone comes in various colors, ranging from white and tan to yellow, brown, and red. The color is determined by the impurities or cementing materials present, such as iron oxide (giving it a reddish hue) or organic matter (causing a darker color).
4. Texture: Depending on its formation process, sandstone can have different textures. It can be compact and hard, displaying little porosity, or it can be loose and friable, with higher porosity and easily crumbled grains.
5. Porosity and Permeability: These characteristics define how much open space (pores) there is between the sand grains, which affects the rock's ability to hold water or allow fluid flow. A higher porosity and permeability make sandstone suitable for applications such as water storage or oil reservoirs.
To determine these characteristics, you can physically examine the sandstone sample, use a hand lens or a magnifying glass to observe grain size and composition, and note the color and texture. Additionally, conducting laboratory tests can provide more precise measurements for porosity and permeability.