QuestionAugust 18, 2025

5. Contrast partial melting and fractional crystallization. __

5. Contrast partial melting and fractional crystallization. __
5. Contrast partial melting and fractional crystallization.
__

Solution
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Answer

Partial melting involves selective melting of minerals, while fractional crystallization involves selective removal of minerals from a cooling magma. Explanation 1. Define Partial Melting Partial melting occurs when only a portion of a solid is melted. Different minerals melt at different temperatures, so the composition of the melt differs from the original solid. 2. Define Fractional Crystallization Fractional crystallization is the process where different minerals crystallize from a cooling magma at different temperatures, removing specific elements from the liquid phase. 3. Compare Processes In partial melting, the melt is enriched in components with lower melting points. In fractional crystallization, the remaining liquid becomes depleted in components that form early-crystallizing minerals. 4. Contrast Outcomes Partial melting results in a melt with a different composition than the source rock. Fractional crystallization changes the composition of the remaining liquid as crystals are removed.

Explanation

1. Define Partial Melting<br /> Partial melting occurs when only a portion of a solid is melted. Different minerals melt at different temperatures, so the composition of the melt differs from the original solid.<br /><br />2. Define Fractional Crystallization<br /> Fractional crystallization is the process where different minerals crystallize from a cooling magma at different temperatures, removing specific elements from the liquid phase.<br /><br />3. Compare Processes<br /> In partial melting, the melt is enriched in components with lower melting points. In fractional crystallization, the remaining liquid becomes depleted in components that form early-crystallizing minerals.<br /><br />4. Contrast Outcomes<br /> Partial melting results in a melt with a different composition than the source rock. Fractional crystallization changes the composition of the remaining liquid as crystals are removed.
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