Question

How does increased pressure result in the formation of a mineral?

Select one:
a. The atoms in the mineral get rearranged.
b. The mineral gets broken down over time.
c. The mineral erupts from a volcano.
d. The mineral dissolves in hot water.

Answer 1

The best answer is
A) The atoms in the mineral get rearranged

Over time, and under great pressure, the atoms of a substance can become rearranged, forming a new substance. For example, the intense pressure that carbon underground experiences, perhaps in the form of coal, can rearrange the atoms of the substance to create a diamond.