Compare and contrast sedimentary rocks that have a granular texture with sedimentary rocks that have a nongranular texture.

I have worked on this, and this is a question following an experiment so it's kind of hard to explain. The rocks in the experiment were coquina limestone, sandstone, shale, melaconglomerate, and rock salt. Tell me if you think this is ok: The sedimentary rocks that have a granular texture are coquina limestone, sandstone, and melaconglomerate. The sedimentary rocks that have a nongranular texture are shale and rock salt. The granular rocks are made of large sand or pebble grains but the nongranular rocks are not grainy or they have clay. The granular rocks are flaky, gritty, and the sediments are easily seen in some but the non granular rocks have no reaction to acid ,so they don't contain calcite, and some are soft. All the rocks have minerals in them, like rock salt has halite and sandstone has quartz. Melaconglomerate has smaller mineral fragments. Most of the granular rocks are detrital, except for coquina limestone which is organic and the nongranular rocks are detrital and chemical.

Your analysis is mostly accurate, but there are a few points that can be clarified:

1. Granular Texture: The sedimentary rocks that have a granular texture (coquina limestone, sandstone, and melaconglomerate) are composed of visible grains or fragments. Coquina limestone is made up of shell fragments, sandstone consists of sand-sized grains, and melaconglomerate contains a mix of larger mineral fragments. These rocks typically have a gritty or sandy feel and often show distinct sediment layers or bedding.

2. Non-Granular Texture: The sedimentary rocks that have a non-granular texture (shale and rock salt) lack visible grains and appear more uniform or compact. Shale is fine-grained and typically composed of clay particles, while rock salt consists of crystalline halite minerals. These rocks tend to be softer and may exhibit a more smooth or uniform appearance.

3. Chemical Composition: While all sedimentary rocks contain minerals, the specific mineral composition varies. Coquina limestone and sandstone typically contain quartz and other minerals, while melaconglomerate has smaller mineral fragments. Rock salt, as mentioned, is primarily composed of halite. Shale may contain a variety of clay minerals.

4. Reactivity: Granular rocks are often more reactive to acid due to the presence of calcite, particularly in coquina limestone. Non-granular rocks like shale and rock salt do not generally react to acid because they lack calcite.

5. Origin: Granular rocks, with the exception of coquina limestone, are classified as detrital rocks, meaning they are formed from the accumulation and cementation of rock or mineral fragments. Non-granular rocks like shale and rock salt can also be classified as detrital rocks, but they can also have a chemical origin due to the precipitation of minerals or evaporation of water.

In summary, granular sedimentary rocks have visible grains or fragments and may feel gritty, while non-granular rocks appear more uniform and lack visible grains. The mineral composition, reactivity, and origin of these rocks further differentiate them.

Your explanation is mostly correct, but I can help you further clarify and expand on the comparison and contrast between sedimentary rocks with granular and non-granular textures.

Sedimentary rocks with a granular texture, such as coquina limestone, sandstone, and melaconglomerate, are composed of visible grains. These grains can be large, like in melaconglomerate, which contains pebbles and smaller mineral fragments, or they can be fine, like in sandstone, which is primarily composed of sand-sized grains. Coquina limestone is unique in that it is an organic rock, formed from the accumulation of shell and coral fragments.

On the other hand, sedimentary rocks with a non-granular texture, like shale and rock salt, lack visible grains. Shale is a fine-grained rock composed of microscopic clay particles, while rock salt is composed of crystalline minerals, specifically halite. The absence of visible grains in these rocks gives them a smooth and often layered appearance.

The granular rocks tend to have specific physical properties. For example, sandstone and melaconglomerate can feel gritty or rough due to the presence of sand or pebbles. Some granular rocks, like coquina limestone, may have a flaky texture due to the presence of shell fragments. Additionally, the sedimentary layers or individual grains are usually easily visible in granular rocks, making their composition more apparent.

In contrast, non-granular rocks, such as shale and rock salt, lack graininess. Shale has a compact and often clay-like texture, while rock salt is typically soft and readily dissolves in water. They do not exhibit the visible sedimentary layers or individual grains that are characteristic of granular rocks.

In terms of mineral composition, both types of rocks contain minerals. For example, rock salt is primarily composed of halite, while sandstone typically contains quartz. However, non-granular rocks like rock salt do not react to acid since they do not contain calcite, a mineral commonly found in granular rocks such as limestone.

Finally, considering their formation, most granular rocks are classified as detrital, meaning they are formed from the accumulation and consolidation of sediments derived from pre-existing rocks. However, coquina limestone, a granular rock, is an exception as it is formed from the organic accumulation of shell and coral fragments. On the other hand, non-granular rocks like shale and rock salt can be classified as detrital or chemical. Shale is formed from the compaction of fine clay particles, while rock salt is formed through the evaporation of saline water, leading to the precipitation of minerals.

In summary, the key differences between sedimentary rocks with granular and non-granular textures lie in their visible grain composition, physical properties, reaction to acid, mineral content, and formation processes.