Final answer:
Quartz is a common Earth mineral that undergoes transformations from igneous to sedimentary to metamorphic rock. Silicates comprise most of the Earth's crust, and rock formation involves the cooling of magma allowing for crystal growth. Over five thousand minerals exist, yet only seven are predominantly found in Earth's crust.
Step-by-step explanation:
Quartz is a prevalent mineral in the Earth's crust, known for its durability and its role in forming other types of rocks through various geological processes. Silicates, specifically SiO4 based materials, make up approximately 90% of the Earth's crust due to the abundance of silicon and oxygen, showcasing their complexity and prevalence in geological formations. Quartzite exemplifies this complexity; it undergoes a transformation from igneous rock to sedimentary rock, and finally to metamorphic rock, signifying the various states Earth materials can exist in.
The terms mentioned, crystals, atoms, minerals, molecules, and magma, represent different components of Earth's materials organized from simpler to more complex structures. Molecules, not typically identifiable in ionic or covalent crystals, are the foundation of various substances, including organic compounds, oceans, and the atmosphere. Through the solidification process, represented by magma cooling, minerals like quartz crystallize to form solid rock.
With over 5,575 known minerals yet most rocks being composed of a mere seven common minerals, rocks exhibit a range of physical properties. This includes coarse-grained textures where individual minerals are visible and hard enough to scratch glass. In igneous rocks, such as those containing feldspar and quartz, slow cooling allows for the formation of large, well-formed crystals.