Final answer:
To match physical properties with rock names, one must consider characteristics like grain size, texture, and depositional environments. Breccia is angular and poorly sorted, chert is fine-grained, conglomerate has rounded fragments, limestone reacts to acid, sandstone is well-sorted with medium grains, and mudrock is fine-grained from low-energy environments.
Step-by-step explanation:
Physical Properties and Rock Identification
Matching the physical properties to the appropriate rock name involves understanding each rock's unique characteristics. For instance, breccia is typically composed of angular fragments, suggesting a quick deposition near the source of the rock fragments. This could denote a poorly-sorted texture and a coarse grain size. Chert, on the other hand, is fine-grained and made of microcrystalline quartz, usually found in deep marine environments. Conglomerate resembles breccia in that it contains larger fragments, but these are rounded indicating a longer transport distance.
Limestone is commonly formed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms, and is identifiable by its reaction with dilute acid. Sandstone is generally well-sorted with a medium grain size, consisting primarily of quartz grains, and can form in various environments, from beaches to deserts. Mudrock is a fine-grained sedimentary rock that includes shale and claystone, indicating a low-energy depositional environment like a calm lake or deep marine setting.
Determining these characteristics and comparing them with a Rock and Mineral Guide can confirm the identification and provide insights into the depositional environment and history of the rock sample.