Name: _____________________________________________ Due Date: _____________________
3.2 Rock Cycle Lab
QUESTION: How does one type of rock become another?
HYPOTHESIS: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
RESEARCH: Using your vocabulary sheet for Unit 3 and rewrite the following terms.
Use textbook if necessary.
1. Weathering
2. Sediment
3. Erosion
4. Deposition
5. Compaction
6. Cementation
7. Lava
DESIGN & CONDUCT:

Part I - Making Sedimentary Rock (Compaction of Layers)
WEATHERING: In nature, rocks are broken down by the forces of nature. In this simulation the crayons represent rocks,
the coin represents erosion (wind, sun, ice, rain) that cause rocks to break down into smaller pieces.
Weather your rock. In other words, use a coin to shave your crayons into small pieces. Collect the shavings in separate
piles over a sheet of paper. Be as neat as you can.
a. What do the different colored crayons represent?
b. Are the fragments all the same size or shape? Describe.
c. Would this be true of rock fragments in nature?
d. What are some of nature’s tools to erode rocks?
EROSION & DEPOSITION: Once rock fragments have been created, they are usually moved by some force of nature like
gravity and dropped in a new location (DEPOSITION). Here you will act as a depositional force.
In your square of aluminum foil, each lab partner, in turn, should pile their rock fragments in a neat pile in the center
of the foil. You will move and lay down (DEPOSIT) the rock fragments.
a. Describe the shape and size of spaces between your rock (crayon) pieces. Are they large or small and irregular or
regular shaped?
b. How does nature move and lay down (DEPOSIT) rock?
COMPACTION & CEMENTATION: This part of the simulation requires you to understand the cementation process.
Spaces between the fragments are reduced in size by pressure (COMPACTION) and filled in with cementing agents
(CEMENTATION). The compaction process occurs as sediment layers are covered by new layers of sediments. The lower
layers become compacted by the weight of the new layers.
Carefully fold the loose layers of crayon shavings inside the aluminum foil. Use your hands to GENTLY press your
crayon (crayon shavings).
a. Do you see any layers? Are they thin or thick?
b. Describe the compaction. Are they tightly or loosely compacted?

Part II- Making Metamorphic Rock (Heat and Pressure)
As the pressure deep within the earth increases, temperatures increase as well. A temperature change is probably occurring in
this activity. Metamorphic rock may become contorted in appearance and actually flow like a plastic material--in response to
the HEAT and PRESSURE that is caused by the over-riding rock.
Rewrap the loosely compacted, sedimentary rock-type crayons shavings in the aluminum foil. Stomp on your tin foil
to apply HEAT and PRESSURE to your sedimentary rock.
a. Do you see any layers? Are they thin or thick?
b. Describe the compaction. Are they tightly or loosely compacted?

Part III - Making Igneous Rock (melting and cooling)
Igneous rocks form deep within the earth. They originate in magma chambers embedded in solid rock.
Raise your hand and Ms. Northrup will apply heat to your crayon shavings or pieces of “sedimentary” and
“metamorphic” rocks.
a. Describe what the melted “rock” (magma) looked like.
b. Describe the cooling process and the final appearance of the “igneous”
CONCLUSION: Create a comic strip explaing each
step of the rock cycle. This is due on a separate piece
of paper attached to the completed lab on Friday
Use the following prompt to guide you:
How you go through the rock cycle (you must include
each phase, type of rock, how the rock forms) but be
CREATIVE and INFORMATIVE!