1.

0)

PREAMBLE

1.1 Introduction
The traditional methods of conducting laboratory activities (assigned as
Level 0) will not be able to provide the avenue for students to enhance
independent learning activities and inculcate creativity and innovation.
The traditional method is fully prescriptive where the three elements
namely problem, ways & means and answers are provided/ fully given to
the students. However, it is still necessary to be implemented as part of the
whole laboratory course activity especially to first and second year
students.
In this laboratory activity student will be exposed to the technique on
identifying the physical characteristics of igneous rocks.
1.2 Objectives
The objectives of this laboratory works is:
i.
To identify the characteristics of igneous rocks
ii.
To classify the igneous rocks
1.3 Learning Outcomes
At the end of this laboratory session, student should be able to:1. Identify the correct apparatus to conduct the laboratory activity.
2. Identify the physical characteristics of igneous rocks.
3. Perform effectively as a team in carrying out the task and produce
the relevant technical report.
1.4 Theoretical Background
Rocks that are formed by crystallization of a melt are igneous rock and
they may be formed at depth (intrusive or plutonic) or on the surface
(extrusive or volcanic). In general, igneous rocks that cool rapidly (i.e.
volcanic rock) are very fine-grained whereas rocks that cool slowly (i.e.
plutonic rocks) are coarse-grained.

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WAYS AND MEANS

Apparatus

1. Magnifying hand lens.

2. Labelled specimen of igneous rock.
Procedure
1. The labelled specimen of igneous rock given is selected in the list of rocks.
2. The sample is observed in order to determine the physical characteristics of igneous rock.
3. The result from the observation is tabulated completely with the pictures of the rock samples.

3.0)

RESULTS

Name of rock

Texture

Colour

Grain size

Mineral composition

Origin

Diorite porphyry

Holohyaline

Greeni
sh

Medium

Intrusive

Rhyolite
showing flow
structure

Holohyaline

Light
grey

Fine

Homblende, augite,
plogloclase,
orthoclase,
magnetite &
ilmenite, biotite
Quartz, orthoclase,
homblende,muscovit
e, biotite

Biotite granite
porphyry

hemiscrystall
ine

Black
and
white

Coarse

Quartz, orthoclase,
homblende,muscovit
e, biotite

Intrusive

Gabbro

hemiscrystall
ine

Dark
greenis
h

Coarse

Intrusive

Syenite

hemiscrystall
ine

Grey

Medium

Homblende, augite,
magnetite &
ilmenite, aogloolose,
olivine
Orthoclase, quartz,
homblende,
plogloclase, biotite,
magnetite & ilmenite

Biotite granite

hemiscrystall
ine

White
grey

Coarse

Quartz, orthoclase,
homblende,muscovit
e, biotite

Intrusive

Obsidian (Black)

Holohyaline

black

Fine

Quartz, orthoclase,
homblende,muscovit
e, biotite

Extrusive

Extrusive

Intrusive

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DISCUSSION

a)
Intrusive
Igneous rocks which form by the crystallization of magma at a depth within the Earth
are called intrusive rocks. Intrusive rocks are characterized by large crystal sizes, i.e.,
their visual appearance shows individual crystals interlocked together to form the rock
mass. The cooling of magma deep in the Earth is typically much slower than the
cooling process at the surface, so larger crystals can grow. Rocks with visible crystals
of roughly the same size are said to have a phaneritic texture.
Extrusive
Igneous rocks which form by the crystallization of magma at the surface of the Earth
are called extrusive rocks. They are characterized by fine-grained textures because
their rapid cooling at or near the surface did not provide enough time for large crystals
to grow. Rocks with this fine-grained texture are called aphanitic rocks. The most
common extrusive rock is basalt.
Intrusive

Extrusive

Diorite Porphyry

Rhylite Showing Flow Structure

Gabbro

Obsidian (Black)

Biotite Granite
Biotite Granite Porphyry
Syenite

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b) The relationship between the cooling rates of igneous rock with the grain size of
the igneous rock is the slower the cooling process the larger the grain size. Rapid
cooling will produce small crystals, while slower cooling produces large crystals
.
c) Basalt is volcanic rock. It is widely used as ballast in railway track It is also widely
used in concrete. Granite is also used architecturally as decorative work for flooring
and walls but they are rarely used for engineering purposes. Occasionally crushed
igneous rock can be used as aggregate for extremely high strength concrete but the
cost of crushing same prices the use out of common usage.
CONCLUSION

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RERERENCE
https://commons.wvc.edu/rdawes/g101ocl/labs/igneouslab.html
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Geophys/intrus.html
http://www.gemologyproject.com/wiki/index.php?title=Origins_of_minerals
http://webmineral.com/help/Composition.shtml