Final answer:
The coarse-grained felsic igneous rock described is granite, which is formed from slowly cooled magma beneath the Earth's surface, resulting in large crystal sizes. It is primarily composed of quartz and feldspar along with minerals such as hornblende and biotite.
Step-by-step explanation:
The coarse-grained felsic igneous rock in question is granite. Granite is formed from magma that cools slowly deep beneath the Earth's surface, which allows time for large crystals to develop, giving it a coarse-grained or phaneritic texture. This texture along with its felsic composition, mostly comprised of light-colored minerals such as quartz, feldspar, hornblende, and biotite, distinguishes granite from other types of igneous rocks, such as basalt, which is fine-grained and consists predominantly of dark-colored minerals.
Characteristics of Granite:
- Color: Typically light, often pink, white, or grey
- Texture: Coarse-grained (phaneritic)
- Mineral content: High in quartz and feldspar with minor hornblende and biotite
In contrast, extrusive or volcanic igneous rocks, like rhyolite, cool quickly on the Earth's surface and result in a fine-grained or aphanitic texture. These rocks do not have the same sizable grain as intrusive rocks like granite.