Name & Period: _________________________
ROCK CYCLE SIMULATION
Purpose:
To simulate the rock cycle using Starburst candy to represent
rocks.
Materials:
3 Starburst Candies
Scissors
Hot Plate
Aluminum Foil
Textbook
Tray of Ice Water
Procedure:
Part 1: Making Sedimentary Rock
In this part of the simulation we are going to assume the brand new
Starburst candies are igneous rocks. We are going to erode, deposit, and
cement them together to simulate making sedimentary rocks.
1.
Before starting, check that you have a pair of scissors, a piece of foil,
and 3 Starburst candy.
2.
Erosion: Each person is going to erode their rock by cutting up their
candy into small pieces using the scissors. Be careful to not cut
yourself!
3.
Deposition: Once the rock fragments have been created, you are going
to deposit your rock in a new location by putting your rock fragments in
a pile in the center of a piece of foil.
4.
Cementation: Carefully fold the loose pieces of Starburst inside the
aluminum foil. Press the packet under a textbook. This is going to
compact and cement your eroded rock.
5.
Open up the foil packet and remove your rock.
6.
Make a drawing and observations of your rock. Specifically, explain how
it resembles a sedimentary rock.
Name & Period: _________________________
Part 2: Making Metamorphic Rock
Now we are going to take our sedimentary rock and place it deep within the
Earth’s crust where there are high temperatures and pressures that change
the rock.
7.
8.
Have a partner pick up the sedimentary rock and warm it in their hands.
When it’s warm, start squeezing it and kneading the rock to transform
it.
9. Do this for a minute or so.
10. Make a drawing and observations of your rock. Specifically, explain how
it resembles a metamorphic rock.
Part 3: Making Igneous Rock
Now we are going reform our metamorphic rock by melting and cooling it.
11. Tear off an 8-inch piece of foil and fold it in four.
12. Use the example at the front of the room to create a tray from the
foil.
13. Put your metamorphic rock in the tray.
14. Bring the setup to the front of the room and place it on a hot plate.
15. Wait for the Starburst candy to melt. Do not let it burn!
16. As soon as it has melted remove the foil with tongs.
17. Float the foil in the tray of ice water for several minutes.
18. When the rock is solid and cool, take it out of the ice water.
19. Make a drawing and observations of your rock. Specifically, explain how
it resembles an igneous rock.
Part 4: Cleaning Up
20. Throw the igneous rock (leftover candy), foil, and wrappers in the trash.
21. Using a wet wipe, CAREFULLY clean off the blades of the scissors.
Make sure there is no candy left on them.
22. Use another wipe to wipe down your table.
23. Wash your hands.
24. When you are done ask the teacher to come and check your table.
Name & Period: _________________________
Observations:
Part 1: Draw your picture below.
What does your rock look like? How does it resemble a sedimentary rock?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Part 2: Draw your picture below.
What does your rock look like? How does it resemble a metamorphic rock?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Name & Period: _________________________
Part 3: Draw your picture below.
What does your rock look like? How does it resemble a igneous rock?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Name & Period: _________________________
Discussion: Answer questions
1.
Label the arrow on the picture below that represents “Part 1” of the lab.
2.
Label the arrow on the picture below that represents “Part 2” of the lab.
3.
Label the arrow on the picture below that represents “Part 3” of the lab.
4.
Look only at the 3 arrows you labeled in the picture. What do you notice about
the overall journey that the lab took you through?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
5.
Use your answer to question 4 and what you learned to explain why the rock
cycle is called a cycle.
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________