Which of the following statements are true about partial melting? Choose one or more: A. Mafic components of the parent rock tend to go into the liquid state first during partial melting. B. Felsic components of the parent rock tend to go into the liquid state first during partial melting. C. Partial melting results in magmas that are more felsic in composition than the parent rock. D. As more of the rock melts during partial melting, the magma becomes more mafic than the original melt that formed.

Question

Physics

Trey Barnett

1 August, 15:02

Which of the following statements are true about partial melting? Choose one or more: A. Mafic components of the parent rock tend to go into the liquid state first during partial melting. B. Felsic components of the parent rock tend to go into the liquid state first during partial melting. C. Partial melting results in magmas that are more felsic in composition than the parent rock. D. As more of the rock melts during partial melting, the magma becomes more mafic than the original melt that formed.

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Answers (1)

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Leticia Garrett · Answer 1

B. (Felsic components of the parent rock tend to go into the liquid state first during partial melting.)

C. (Partial melting results in magmas that are more felsic in composition than the parent rock.)

D. As more of the rock melts during partial melting, the magma becomes more mafic than the original melt that formed.

The correct options are B, C, D.

Explanation:

The mafic components of a rock are the components that are rich in Magnesium and ferric oxides. They are the major constituents of an igneous rock. They are usually dark in colour and have high specific gravity.

Felsic components of a rock on the other hand are rich in silicate minerals, oxygen, aluminium, sodium and potassium. They have a lighter colour than the mafic components, with low specific gravity. Thus, the felsic components of the parent rock tend to go into the liquid state first during partial melting and not the mafic components.