Name _________________________________________Date_____________________ Blk___ NB# _______
THE ROCK CYCLE
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In the rock cycle, weathering of existing rocks produces sediments that are deposited in
layers. As the layers build up, pressure is applied to the layers below. Over the years these
sediments are cemented into sedimentary rocks. Rocks that are deeply buried are exposed
to extreme heat and pressure. The heat is not great enough to melt the rock, but some chemical changes in the
makeup of the rock can occur. This type of rock is called metamorphic rock. Any type of rock can be the source for a
metamorphic rock. If rocks are melted and then cooled, the new rock is called igneous. The term igneous means made
by fire. When rocks are exposed to, wind and water, weathering occurs again, resulting in new sediments which will
form new sedimentary rock and the cycle continues.
MATERIALS:
 Crayons
 heavy duty aluminum foil
 hammer
 clothespin




water
matches
crayon shredding tool
2 books



candle
aluminum pie pan
ruler
PROCEDURE:
Take your piece of heavy duty aluminum foil and fold it in half to give added support.
OVER THE NEWSPAPER!!!! Make crayon shavings with the crayon shredding tool. Use different colored crayons. (This
is your sediment.) You will need three piles of crayon shavings of different colors – you will need to half fill each petri
dish with a different color.
Layer the crayon sediments inside the double thickness of aluminum foil and fold over. Fold the edges in so that all the
crayon "sediment" is inside the foil and none can fall out.
Place the aluminum foil packet of crayon "sediment" between the two books then press on the top board with force to
flatten the crayon shavings.
Open the foil packet and examine your crayon "sediment". Record your observations. What type of rock does this
represent?
Carefully rewrap the crayon "rock" and place it between the books again. This time stand on the books. Take the
packet out and rub it in your hands to create some friction heat. Replace in books and stand one more time. Reexamine your crayon rock. Record your observations. What kind of rock have you made this time?
Rewrap your crayon "rock" and hold your packet over a candle with a clothespin.
Wait for your teacher to light your candle. Have the beaker of water nearby. Heat your crayon "rock" for one minute.
Place in water to cool, then unwrap your rock and record your observations.
Record all your observations. Once again, what type of rock did you make this time?
CONCLUSIONS:
Crayon Material
Description
Type of Earthen Material
Original crayon shavings
Crayon shavings after first pressure
applied
Crayon shavings after second
pressure applied
Crayon shavings after melting and
cooling
1. Explain how what happened to your crayons relates to what happens in the rock cycle.
2. What process does the shaving of the crayons
represent?
3. What do the crayon shavings represent?
4. What had to happen to the crayon sediment
before it could become rock?
5. What did the pressure on the books represent?
6. What kind of crayon rock was made by pressing the crayon sediments together?
7. Describe the difference between the first rock you made and the rock you made after applying additional pressure
and heat.
8. What kind of rock did you make when you added more pressure to your crayon rock?
9. What kind of rock did you make by heating then cooling your crayon rock?
10. How was this rock different from the other two?
11. Could you make new sediments from this rock? How would you make these sediments? What does this represent
in nature?