Granite is actually a felsic igneous rock, meaning it is high in silica (SiO2).
Here's why:
* Felsic rocks are light-colored and have a high silica content (over 65%). They tend to be rich in minerals like quartz, feldspar, and mica. Granite is a classic example of a felsic rock.
* Mafic rocks, on the other hand, are dark-colored and have a lower silica content (typically 45-55%). They are rich in minerals like pyroxene, olivine, and calcium-rich plagioclase feldspar. Examples of mafic rocks include basalt and gabbro.
To summarize:
* Granite is a felsic igneous rock and is high in silica.
* Igneous rocks low in silica are mafic.