Final answer:
Rocks are composed of multiple minerals or a single mineral, and are classified as igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic based on their formation.
Minerals are inorganic substances with a specific chemical composition and crystal structure that can be identified by unique properties, such as being coarse-grained and able to scratch glass.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary difference between rocks and minerals is that rocks are solid, natural substances composed of multiple minerals or a single mineral, whereas minerals are naturally occurring inorganic substances with a definite chemical composition and crystal structure.
A rock, such as granite, is made up of small pieces of quartz, feldspar, and mica—each being a distinct mineral. Rocks are categorized into three basic types: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic, all of which are identified by their mineral composition and formation process.
Minerals, on the other hand, have unique properties such as being coarse-grained and the ability to scratch glass. Some mineral grains are so large that they are easily identified, and they commonly interlock with each other like jigsaw puzzle pieces.