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  • Basalt vs. Rhyolite Density: Understanding Igneous Rock Properties
    Basalt has a lower density than rhyolite.

    Density of Basalt: 2.7-3.0 g/cm³

    Density of Rhyolite: 2.4-2.6 g/cm³

    Explanation:

    * Basalt is an extrusive igneous rock that is typically dark in color and has a fine-grained texture. It is formed from the rapid cooling of lava.

    * Rhyolite is also an extrusive igneous rock, but it is lighter in color and has a more glassy texture. It is formed from the slow cooling of lava.

    The difference in density is primarily due to the mineral composition of the rocks. Basalt is richer in mafic minerals (such as pyroxene and olivine), which are denser than the felsic minerals (such as quartz and feldspar) that are more abundant in rhyolite.

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