Granite forms through the slow cooling of magma, which classifies it as an igneous rock. The other options are rocks that form through sedimentary or metamorphic processes.

Sedimentary rocks are formed from the deposition and compaction of sediments, often showing distinct layers. The other rock types form through cooling of magma or transformation by heat and pressure.

Granite is an intrusive igneous rock that forms from the slow cooling of magma beneath the Earth's surface, allowing large crystals to develop. The other options cool quickly at or near the surface, resulting in fine-grained textures.

Metamorphic rocks are formed when pre-existing rocks are transformed by high heat and pressure, causing mineral re-arrangement. This differentiates them from rocks that form through deposition or solidification of magma.

Sedimentary rocks often contain fossils because they form from layers of deposited sediments in environments where life once existed. The other features are more typical of igneous or metamorphic rocks.

Igneous rocks form when molten magma cools and solidifies, either beneath the surface or following an eruption. The other processes are involved in the formation of sedimentary or metamorphic rocks.

Marble is produced when limestone is subjected to heat and pressure, causing its calcite crystals to recrystallize. The other rocks do not form from limestone undergoing metamorphism.

Schist exhibits a foliated texture due to the alignment of platy minerals during metamorphism. This feature is not typically present in non-metamorphic rocks like basalt, conglomerate, or tuff.

Extrusive igneous rocks cool quickly at the Earth's surface and develop a fine-grained texture. In contrast, intrusive rocks cool slowly underground and have coarse grains, making the texture the key differentiator.

Basalt predominates in the oceanic crust because it forms from the rapid cooling of lava at mid-ocean ridges. Granite is more common in continental crust, while sandstone and limestone are sedimentary rocks.

Photosynthesis is a biological process and does not contribute to the physical formation or transformation of rocks. Erosion, deposition, and metamorphism are all integral parts of the rock cycle.

Conglomerate is a clastic sedimentary rock composed of rounded rock fragments cemented together. The other options are either metamorphic or igneous rocks.

Hardness is a key diagnostic property for mineral identification because it indicates resistance to scratching. While color, weight, and other properties may provide clues, hardness is more definitive.

Pegmatite forms from magma that cools very slowly, allowing large crystals to develop that can be seen without a microscope. The other rock types either form too quickly or consist of compacted sediments.

Limestone typically forms in marine settings where organisms with calcium carbonate shells accumulate and lithify. Desert dunes, volcanic ash deposits, and glacial outwash do not provide the conditions needed for limestone formation.

Volcanic rocks that cool quickly at the surface generally form with small, fine grains. This fine-grained texture indicates a rapid cooling process, in contrast to slow cooling which produces larger crystals.

The direct conversion of an igneous rock into a metamorphic rock occurs when the rock is exposed to high heat and pressure, leading to recrystallization without going through a sedimentary stage. This makes the third option the correct sequence.

Mineral cleavage describes the tendency of minerals to break along specific planes, which reveals details about their internal crystal structure. This property is very useful in differentiating and identifying minerals within a rock.

A vesicular texture, which features numerous gas bubbles trapped in the rock, is a hallmark of volcanic rocks formed during explosive eruptions. The other features are not typically associated with volcanic processes.

A high-energy depositional environment typically transports and rounds larger clasts, which then become embedded in a finer sediment matrix. This combination reflects dynamic conditions such as those found in river channels or beaches.