The Rock Cycle

Objective: To demonstrate the different stages of the rock cycle, and to see how one type of rock can transform into another type of rock.

Part 1: WEATHERING Weathering: The process of breaking down rocks Two Types: Physical: Chemical: Breakdown of rock into smaller pieces by mechanical methods such as wind, water or ice. The decomposition of rock by the chemical breakdown of minerals. Examples include when a rock is dissolved by water or when oxygen reacts with iron to form rust. Page 28 of IAN ROCK CYCLE

Activity Part 1: 1.Using the pencil sharpener in your tray, shave the crayons your teacher has left for your group (1 for each person) into shavings. 2.Put the fragments by color into separate piles on wax paper. You are “weathering” rock materials. 3.Save for part 2. Process on the left side page (picture, illustration or some other method) of your interactive notebook and answer discussion quest.

Part 2: EROSION AND DEPOSITION Erosion: Material is transported by: Sediment: Deposition: Stratification: The movement of weathered materials Wind, water or ice Loose material (rock pieces). When loose materials accumulate. When different types of sediment cover each other and layer. ROCK CYCLE Pg 30 of IAN

Activity Part 2: 1.Put a sheet of aluminum foil on your work area. 2.In the center of the foil, each student in the group drops his or her “rock fragments”, one at a time, piling them on top of each other. 3.Carefully fold the foil over the fragments and save for part 3. Put it in your baggie 4. Process on the left side page of your IAN and answer the discussion questions.

Part 3: LITHIFICATION AND SEDIMENTARY ROCKS Lithification- Two parts: Compaction:Reduces the size and number of spaces between fragments. Cementation: “glues” the fragments together.Minerals dissolved in water will crystallize and act as the “glue” when water evaporates Sedimentary rocks: Rocks are weathered into sediments, sediments are deposited, layered, compacted by pressure and cemented by minerals. ROCK CYCLE Pg. 32 of IAN

Activity Part 3: 1.Put the foil packet between two pieces of plywood. 2.Have the smallest person briefly step on the board. 3.After removing the package from between the boards, carefully open the foil and examine the “sedimentary rock”. 4.Remove a small piece from the sedimentary rock. Put the small piece in a baggie. The remainder should be left in the foil package and saved for Part 4. 5.On page 31 of your IAN, answer questions and add a diagram representing lithification.

Part 4: METAMORPHISM AND METAMORPHIC ROCKS Metamorphic Rocks: “changed rocks”. Metamorphic rocks were igneous or sedimentary but changed due to great heat and/or great pressure. Baked rock does not melt to liquid but it does change. Minerals rearrange while heated. Page 34 of IAN Rock Cycle

Activity Part 4: 1.Place the foil package between two pieces of plywood. 2.Have the tallest person stand on top of the board, over the foil. 3.Briefly place the foil package on a hot plate at a low temperature (your teacher will monitor this step). Bring the tongs with you to the hot plate to take the foil off when it’s heated. 4.Repeat steps 1-3 an additional two times. 5.Once the package is cool enough to handle, open and examine the newly formed “metamorphic” rock. Take a small piece and place it with your previously saved “sedimentary rock” in the bag. 6. Save the metamorphic rock in the foil for part 5.

Part 5: IGNEOUS ROCKS Igneous Rocks: Formed from the cooling and solidification of molten rock (magma or lava). Can cool inside the earth (intrusive igneous rock) or on the surface of the earth (extrusive igneous rock) Rock Cycle Page 36 of IAN

Magma Igneous Rock Sediment Metamorphic Rock Sedimentary Rock cool and harden weathering erosion, deposition, lithification heat and pressure melting heat and pressure weathering melting

Activity Part 5: 1.Your foil packet has been placed on the hot plate over high heat and melted. 2.When your teacher returns your foil package open it and begin the questions on pg. 35 of your IAN. 3.For the “processing” piece on pg. 35 you will start somewhere in the rock cycle and draw pictures showing the “life of a rock” going through the rock cycle.