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Question
what is the relationship between the rate at which molten material cools and a mineral’s crystals?
the faster the cooling, the larger the crystals.
the slower the cooling, the larger the crystals.
the rate at which molten material cools does not affect crystal shape.
the rate at which molten material cools does not affect crystal size.
When molten material cools slowly, atoms have sufficient time to arrange themselves into large, well-formed crystal structures. Rapid cooling traps atoms before they can organize into large crystals, resulting in small or microscopic crystals. Cooling rate directly impacts crystal size, making the correct option the statement linking slow cooling to larger crystals.
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The slower the cooling, the larger the crystals.