Video Transcript
During the formation of metamorphic
rocks, which of the following affects the conversion of an old rock into another
rock? (A) The mass of the magma, (B) the
temperature of the magma, (C) the type of rock that surrounds the magma, or (D) all
of the answers are correct.
Metamorphic rocks are formed from
the conversion of existing rock to a new type of rock, due to its exposure to high
temperature and high pressure. As we can tell from the answer
choices, magma is important for the formation of metamorphic rocks. Magma permeates through rock and
increases its temperature, causing the rock to undergo a physical change. This aligns with the definition of
metamorphic rocks, which states that exposure to high temperature forms metamorphic
rocks. The definition also tells us that
high pressure is required. The pressure is created by the mass
of the magma.
The increase in pressure created by
the mass of the magma and the increase in temperature allows metamorphic rock to
form. But the type of rock formed depends
on the identity of the original rock surrounding the magma. For example, only limestone forms
marble.
We can now tell that the mass and
temperature of the magma as well as the rock that surrounds it affect the formation
of metamorphic rock. Thus, the factors that affect the
conversion of an old rock into another rock is answer choice (D): all of the answers
are correct.
