%.On what bases can sedimentary rocks be identified?
918194
Sedimentary Rocks usually have layers and are made up of pieces of other rocks.  The grain size that makes up the sedimentary rocks can be of any size.  Microscopic as in silt, small as in sandstone and large as in conglomerate.
634548
Rocks can be divided into three key different groups, which you will need to know for chemistry and geography exams.\n\nThey are:\n- igneous\ne.g. volcanic rocks\n\n- sedimentary\ne.g. those laid down by the action of water, like limestone\n\n- metamorphic\ne.g. those that have been subject to many different processes within the earth and been changed as a result
757722
Well you can date in-situ rocks relative to others by a few basic principles such as fossil evidence and sequence stratigraphy (if one rock is 'cut' by another then the it is older).\nIf you have an entire sequence of rocks right up to the present time the you could use deposition rates to calculate age but I wouldn't rely on it.\n\nTo calculate the age of a single sample of rock that is not in-situ I don't think is possible.  We use radioactivity because we know the rate at which it changes over time.  We understand the passing of time because things change.  If you were put to sleep in a dark room with no contact with the outside world then after about 1 week you would have no idea how much time had passed when you woke because you wouldn't have a point of reference.
334211
Igneous, they tell us a lot about what the age of the Earth and location of the poles.\n\nSedimentary, tell us the climate of an area and preserve fossils.\n\nMetamorphic, they look cool but are hard to tell anything from.  Their general location tells us of orogenies and faults.\n\nAll rocks are important and different geologists study different things.  Oil bearing shale is important to some geologist since if we can figure out an economical method of extraction we wouldn't be dependent on other countries for oil.\n\nGeology is like a big puzzle, and it's interesting seeing how the pieces fit together.
191382
Yea, the first answer is right.  Among many other factors, soils are made up of parent material that has decomposed.  It mostly depends on what kind of rock they came from.
799885
This is a great way to begin understanding the different forces that shape the land.  It is important to remember how the rocks came to be found, Metamorphic rocks from Michigan that may have been dug up from a deep quarry or found on the surface exposed by glacial action.  In N Carolina they could be sedimentary rocks exposed by water erosion.  In Florida they could very likely be calcium carbonate deposited by ancient coral reefs.  A simple understanding of these and other rock forming processes would make a prize winning 4th grade report.  Good Luck!
763702
Mostly quartz and orthoclase feldspar. Any number of other minerals can make up the rest.
348133
Some rocks contain iron. When exposed to water it will oxidize & become iron oxide.\n\nSome sedimentary rocks are cemented together w/ rusty orange substance which is iron oxide.\n\nI know, I just handled some of it today in class. It got all over my hands.\n\n;)
284631
The stones are likely insoluable salts of calcium, magnesium. A chemical analysis to show presence of these could be easily performed by dissolving in acid and using flame photometry. That will only give you a 'yes or no' answer. A definitive chemical analysis is likely beyond the scope of a school lab.
148793
rock refers to solid mineral deposits. Rocks are minerals, but not all minerals are rocks.\nSome minerals, given time and circumstance, form solid deposits. These solid mineral deposits are known as rock. Pressure, temperature, erosion, and friction are forces that effect the formation of rocks. The rock formation process allows geologists to classify rocks into three groups: sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic. Sedimentary rock forms when layers of "sediment" (small particles of solid minerals like sand and pebbles) fuse together over time under the force of water or wind. Sedimentary rock is commonly found in and near riverbeds and streambeds. Igneous ("fire-formed") rock forms after minerals are heated to extremely high temperatures and then allowed to cool.
552288
rocks are made up of minerals
615406
You can probably find a book about it  in the library or on google by typing you question or something like recognizing or verifying precious stones
145840
Cool. I hope you found some good ammonites. You may have been in the Cretaceous Western Interior Seaway, which once connected what we now call the Gulf of Mexico to what is now the Arctic Ocean. The Pierre Shale is full of clams, ammonites, and baculites. \n\nThe Western Interior Paleontological Society has some good publications:\nhttp://www.wipsppc.com/#\nHere is link to a Pierre Shale field trip of the WIPS in Colorado:\nhttp://www.paleocurrents.com/baculite_mesa/index.html\n\nHere is an awesome website put together by Dr. Ron Blakey at NAU. For your interests, the first place to start would be paleogeography of the Southwestern US, which has paleogeographic maps of each major period (that include southern Colorado):\nhttp://jan.ucc.nau.edu/rcb7/paleogeogwus.html\nThe top page of his site is at:\nhttp://jan.ucc.nau.edu/rcb7/\n\nYou might also want to buy a copy of "Roadside Geology of Colorado". This series of books is written by geologists who are familiar with the state they write about and describe the geologic features that can be found along the major highways. Here's the cite:\nChronic, H. 1980. Roadside geology of Colorado. Mountain Press Publ. Co., Missoula, Montana, 334 p.\n\nThe Colorado Geological Survey sells a map for $7 that is titled "Colorado Geologic Highway Map" that shows lots of geology information, as well as a lot of other high quality geology related publications:\nhttp://dnr.state.co.us/geostore/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=MI-38\n\nHere is the USGS page for Colorado:\nhttp://www.usgs.gov/state/state.asp?State=CO\n\n\nEnjoy.
587794
There are actually many ways to date the rocks. One well-known way is carbon-dating.\n\nOne great site is:\nhttp://archserve.id.ucsb.edu/Anth3/Courseware/Chronology/01_Contents.html\n\nThis site has short summaries for each method-- no need to read a scientific journal artical for each method.
707824
I don't know but if you click on the site below you'll find out real quick. They know minerals.
526654
It would help to find useful archaeologists if you tell where you found those slate stones. While I know a couple of archaeologists, they are specialized on Aegean Bronze Age or Viking Age rather than Stone Age Britain, which wouldn't be too helpful.
429168
sell it on ebay if you find someone to purchase something like that with no certificate of authenticity from a geologist to support your assertions.