Rocks & Minerals Videos

Identifying the texture of rocks can reveal much about how it was developed, which can help to determine the mineral makeup. Look at several different rock textures with information from a geology...

Pearls are formed when a bit of sand gets into an oyster, and the oyster excretes calcite to coat the irritant until it is smooth. Understand the pearl-growing process with information from a...

The minerals found in salt water include sodium chloride, calcite and others that can solidify and form rocks in the ocean. Identify minerals in salt water with information from a geology...

Identifying rock-forming minerals is best done using an illustrated guide that outlines the characteristics of each. Understand the formation of each mineral to better identify it with information...

The properties of basalt, which is found under the oceanic crust, include mostly dark material, such as hornblende, as well as dark silicate minerals. Find out how to identify basalt stone with...

Mercury is a rare mineral found in rocky areas of Spain, the United States, Mexico and China. Understand how mercury is mined with information from a geology professor in this free video on rocks.

Crystals form very slowly in a cavity of liquid, and solids form from the liquid into geometric patterns. Understand the formation of crystals with information from a geology professor in this...

The mineral content of granite includes quartz, feldspar and hornblende, which combine in flecks to create this solid stone. Find out how granite is created with information from a geology...

When identifying rocks, consult a good field guide that has illustrations or photographs of several types of rocks. Break down rocks into igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic groups with...

Some metals can form crystals, such as gold, silver and copper, which means that they create regular patterns in their makeup. Discover the relationship between metals and crystals with...

Nickel alloy refers to a substance that is a mixture of nickel and other metals that does not produce a chemical reaction. Understand the difference between alloys with information from a geology...

Different types of sand are produced through the weathering process of various rocks and minerals. Find out how various types of sand are created with information from a geology professor in this...

The three types of rocks are igneous, formed from molten rock, sedimentary, formed from the elements of an existing rock, and metamorphic, formed by a change in heat or pressure. Identify the...

Valuable rocks can be found all over the world, and their value depends upon the scarcity of the rock. Learn about different valuable rocks, such as gold, silver or garnets with help from a lab...

Rocks have separate characteristics among themselves, as rocks come in many different colors, textures and mineral compositions. Discover which rocks tend to be heavier than the others with help...

Translucent rocks are rocks that a person can see through, and they are typically made up of minerals or crystals that are translucent themselves. Find out why some semi-precious stones are...

Metamorphic rocks are formed from the remelting and recrystallization of protolyth rocks, such as igneous and sedimentary rocks. Learn about the typical metamorphic characteristic of banding with...

Sea rocks are typically formed in an ocean environment, and one of the most common types of sea rocks is limestone. Discover how to identify sea rocks, such as shale, with help from a lab manager...

Granite is a type of igneous rock that is very abundant and found all over the world, and the three main minerals of granite are quartz, padgoclez and potassium feldspar. Look for granite rocks to...

Igneous rocks are one of the three main classifications of rocks, and they are formed both above and below ground. Learn about the intrusive and coarse-grained nature of igneous rocks with help...

Gold is a very rare and precious metal that is soft, malleable and heavy, and it is often found with other minerals, such as quartz. Learn about the differences between gold and fool's gold with...

Garnets are a specific type of mineral that is most commonly found in metamorphic rocks, and they come in different colors and sizes depending on their chemical composition. Discover how garnets...

There are three primary classifications of rocks, including sedimentary rocks, igneous rocks and metamorphic rocks. Discover how all three main types of rocks are formed with help from a lab...

Rocks are red when they contain the mineral hematite, which is an iron oxide that is similar to rust. Find out how iron forms a reddish hue when oxidized with help from a lab manager and research...

Rocks are made in different ways, with sedimentary rocks being made from erosion and deposition of preexisting rocks, and metamorphic rocks being made when preexisting rocks melt and...

Red Rocks was formed by the erosion of a mountain range that deposited sediments into the valleys, and these sediments were buried and compressed over time. Discover why Red Rocks is angled facing...

Mass, which is the amount of stuff something is made of, is determined with the formula, force equals mass multiplied by acceleration. Use Newton's second law to determine the mass of an object...

Materials that can be recycled include oil, batteries, glass, metal, plastic, paper and oil. Find out the difference between reusing a product and recycling a product with information from a math...

Current represents the flow of electricity and depends on resistance, while voltage is the electrical pressure within an electrical circuit. Discover more about the role of resistance in...

A simple machine is a device that uses a fulcrum and lever system to perform a function, such as a cork screw or a basic lever. Apply force to a simple machine to discover the benefits of simple...

A stable atom of uranium is made up of 92 electrons and 92 protons in the nucleus. Learn how radioactive versions of uranium will have a different number of protons with information from a math...

The highest number of degrees latitude is 90 degrees north or 90 degrees south, represented by the north and south poles. Learn how to circles of latitude get smaller the farther north or south of...

The major cause of global warming is a thick layer of gases, including methane and carbon dioxide, that trap heat and energy near the earth. Find out how methane is produced by common things...

Phosphorus has three isotopes, which result in the formation of phosphorus 31, 32 and 33. Phosphorus 32 and 33 are unstable isotopes that are radioactive. Learn more about how isotopes are formed...

The water cycle occurs through a process of water evaporation from the ocean forming clouds, which are then cooled and turned into precipitation. Find out how water on land forms streams that...

A proton has one positive electronic charge and an immeasurable mass of one atomic mass unit. Find out how many protons would be required in order to get a measurable mass with information from a...

Trace fossils are defined as impressions or geological evidence of biological activity, such as foot prints, burrows or rock striations. Discover how trace fossils help scientists learn more about...

The trough of a wave is the point where the wave is at its lowest and smallest, while the peak is the highest point of the wave. Learn how the distance between two troughs or two peaks is called a...

Photosynthesis is the function by which plant chlorophyll absorbs radiation from the sun, carbon dioxide and water, in order to create a reaction that produces sugar and oxygen. Discover how...

The formula to calculate resistance is voltage, or potential difference, divided by current equals resistance in ohms. Calculate the resistance created by a power supply with instructions from a...

Iron is the metal with the strongest magnetic attraction. Steel can also be highly magnetized because it is made up mostly of iron. Discover more information on the magnetic value of different...

Learn about flintknapping and how to make stone age tools today! This free video teaches you how to finish a hornstone arrowhead.

Learn about flintknapping and how to make stone age tools today! This free video teaches you how to make stone age tools from hornstone.

Learn about flintknapping and how to make stone age tools today! This free video teaches you how to billet with a deer antler tool.

Learn about flintknapping and how to make stone age tools today! This free video teaches you basel grinding.

Learn about flintknapping and how to make stone age tools today! This free video teaches you how to make useful items for around the house from stone.

Learn about flintknapping and how to make stone age tools today! This free video teaches how to pressure flake a stone knife.

Learn about flintknapping and how to make stone age tools today! This free video teaches you how to shape a knife blade by flintknapping.

Learn about flintknapping and how to make stone age tools today! This free video teaches you how to finish flintknapping a knife blade.

Learn about flintknapping and how to make stone age tools today! This free video teaches you how to thin a piece of stone for a knife blade.