As magma heats in the mantle, it becomes _________. and begins to ___________. This results in the magma traveling to the crust where it cools and becomes _______________ rock.
As magma heats in the mantle, it becomes more buoyant and less dense. The reduced density causes the magma to rise and begin to convect. This results in the magma traveling to the crust where it cools and becomes igneous rock.
As magma heats in the mantle, it becomes molten. And begins to rise or ascend. This results in the magma traveling to the crust where it cools and becomes igneous rock.
As magma heats in the mantle, it becomes less dense and begins to rise. This results in the magma traveling to the crust where it cools and becomes igneous rock.
To understand why magma rises and cools to form igneous rock, let's break down the process step by step:
1. Magma formation: Magma is formed beneath the Earth's surface when solid rock in the mantle melts due to extreme heat and pressure. This molten material consists of a mixture of molten rock called "magma."
2. Density and buoyancy: Magma is less dense than the solid rocks around it, which causes it to rise. Density is a measure of how much mass is contained in a given volume, and buoyancy is the upward force exerted on an object immersed in a fluid, in this case, the magma. The less dense magma is buoyed up by the denser rocks of the mantle.
3. Rising and ascending: As the magma heats up and becomes less dense, it begins to rise through cracks and fractures in the Earth's crust. This movement is driven by convection currents occurring within the mantle. These convection currents are caused by the heat released from the Earth's core, which creates circulation patterns within the mantle.
4. Crystallization and cooling: As the magma rises towards the Earth's surface, it starts to cool down. Cooling causes the minerals in the magma to solidify and form crystals. This solidification process is known as crystallization. The rate of cooling determines the size of the crystals in the resulting igneous rock.
5. Formation of igneous rock: Once the magma cools and solidifies completely, it transforms into igneous rock. Igneous rocks are classified based on their crystal size, mineral composition, and texture. Examples of common igneous rocks include basalt, granite, and obsidian.
In summary, as magma heats in the mantle, it becomes less dense and rises towards the Earth's surface. During ascent, it cools and solidifies, forming igneous rock.