Rocks and Minerals (1)
Read the following information about rocks and minerals and answer to the questions.
Minerals occur in nature. Minerals can be pure substances (elements) or combination of substances
(compound). Minerals are the raw materials of rocks. Rock types are characterized by the types of minerals
present in their relative proportions, and the processes by which the rocks were formed. Of these processes,
heat, pressure, and time are the most important. Minerals make different rocks look different.
Igneous rocks are formed from minerals that have melted deep within the Earth. These melted minerals are
called magma. As magma is pushed to the surface of the Earth, the minerals begin to cool and harden.
Different igneous rocks are formed depending on the presence of different minerals and how fast the magma
cools. Some igneous rocks include pumice, obsidian, and basalt. The rapid separation of the gases from
lava produces pumice, a rock with large air spaces in it, similar to a sponge. The rapid cooling of lava
produces obsidian and fine-grained rocks such as basalt.
Sedimentary rocks are formed as particles settle to the bottom of oceans and lakes. These materials (known
as sediment) consist of sand, mud, bodies of animals, shells, and other materials. Over millions of years,
these sediments are covered by other particles and the layers are pressed down by the weight of the
sediments and water above. Gradually, the sediments are hardened into sedimentary rock. Scientists
determine the age of a sedimentary rock by its thickness, the mineral layers, and the plant and animal
remains it may contain. Nearly 75 percent of the land area of the Earth is covered with sedimentary rock.
Metamorphic (“Meta-“means “change”) rocks are formed from igneous, sedimentary, or other metamorphic
rocks which contain minerals that have been changed by heat, pressure, or chemical action. Strong heat and
pressure inside the Earth can cause minerals in rocks to change. For example, when shale is changed to
slate, the fine quartz crystals of the shale become broken, flattened, and reoriented. The clay particles of
shale recrystallize to form tiny flakes of mica. This realignment of the bits of quartz and mica result in a
rock that splits easily into fine, thin sheets with smooth surfaces. This property makes slate ideal for
chalkboards, roofing tiles, and paving tiles.
True or False:
1. Minerals are formed by rocks.
2. Minerals can be pure elements or combination of substances (compound).
3. There are three types of rocks: Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic.
4. More than 70% of the land area of the earth is covered by sedimentary rock.
5. Metamorphic is formed from igneous, sedimentary or other metamorphic rocks which contain minerals
that have been changed by heat, pressure, or chemical action
6. Slate is metamorphic rock which can be used as chalkboard, roofing tiles and paving tiles due to its
smooth surfaces.
7. There are more than 3000 known materials on earth.
8. Talc is the softest mineral.
9. Diamond is not the hardest mineral.
10. There are nine properties of minerals that can help us to distinguish different minerals: color, luster,
density, crystal form, cleavage (smooth, flat surface pattern when a mineral is broken), fracture (irregular
pieces formed when broken), and tenacity (toughness), hardness (ability to scratch or be scratched), and
transparency. Minerals have many different uses that are usually dependent on their properties.
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Rocks and Minerals (2)
Read the following information about rocks and minerals and answer to the questions.
The properties of each type of rocks
Sedimentary
Rounded-appearing mineral and rock particles that are cemented together
Often in layers
Igneous
With or without observable crystals
Not in layers
With or without air holes
Could be glass-like
Metamorphic
Crystals/minerals lined up (aligned)
Often in layers, sheet-like
Common rocks in Utah
1. Sedimentary:
Sandstone – Sandstone is made from sand grains cemented together by pressure squeezing the layers
together. Try and rub some sand off of the sandstone rock. Sandstone occurs in different colors based on
the sand it was formed from. Sandstone can be used in landscaping, concrete, and some ancient buildings
were even made of sandstone. Sandstone is the main sedimentary rock found in Arches and Zion National
Park.
Conglomerate – This rock is made of well-rounded gravel that is cemented together with sand and clay.
As this mixture was pressed together, the sedimentary rock was formed. This rock looks like a mixture of
many different rocks all stuck together. Conglomerate can be used in construction and flooring.
Conglomerate formations can be found near Price, Utah.
Shale – Shale is made up of very small particles of gray colored mud or clay. Layers are many times evident
in shale. Shale can be used as filler in paint, plastic and roofing materials. Oil shale is used as a source for
oil. Many trilobite fossils are found in shale near Price, Utah.
Limestone – Limestone is made mostly of calcite, which came from ancient seabeds filled with sea animal
shells. Limestone is used to make concrete and to produce lime, which is an important chemical used in
steel production and water purification. Limestone can be found in the Oquirrh Mountains and Parley’s
Canyon.
2. Igneous
Basalt – This rock cooled very rapidly above ground. Crystals are not formed when the rock cools rapidly.
This rock is dense, black and forms large formations. Basalt is used in asphalt and concrete. It can be found
in the Black Rock Desert of Western Utah.
Obsidian – Obsidian cools very rapidly above ground. No crystals are visible. When the rock forms it
becomes a black glassy rock. This rock is used in jewelry and in making arrowheads because it is very
strong and sharp on its edges. Found in the Black Rock Desert of Western Utah.
Pumice – Pumice cools very rapidly above ground from a frothy volcanic mixture. Since the mixture was
frothy and it cooled quickly, this rock has many small air holes and individual crystals cannot be seen. This
rock normally floats in water (try it) and has an abrasive quality. Pumice can be used in cleaners and
concrete. Also found in the Black Rock Desert of Western Utah.
Granite – This rock cooled slowly below ground. Since it cooled slowly, crystals had time to form. Most
granite is made up of 3 different mineral crystals. This is many times used in homes for countertops and
building materials. Granite can be found throughout Utah.
3. Metamorphic
Marble – Marble rock formed from the sedimentary rock limestone. Look for the calcite crystals and lines
in the marble. Marble is used in homes and sculptures. Marble is a dense, crystalline rock that can be found
in Big Cottonwood Canyon.
Gneiss – Gneiss was formed from high heat and pressure on layers of different mineral crystals. Gneiss
many times has a banded look due to its different mineral composition that can include mica and quartz.
Gneiss is used to make statues, ornamental stones and flooring. Gneiss can be found in Farmington Canyon
and Antelope State Park.
Schist – This rock is formed from a high crystal muscovite content of sedimentary rock. This gives the rock
a satiny sheen and many times layers can be seen. Schist is used to make beautiful structures for decoration
because it is not very strong for building. This rock is found in Little Cottonwood Canyon.
Slate – This rock is formed from the metamorphosis of the sedimentary rock shale. Slate is fine grained,
dense and brittle. We can use slate for chalkboards, counters and flooring. This rock can be found in Box
Elder County.
Choose the correct answer.
1. Which is not igneous rock?
a. Slate b. Basalt c. Pumice d. Granite
2. Which are Metamorphic rocks?
a. Marble b. Gneiss c. Obsidian d. Schist e. Slate
3. What’s not the property of Sedimentary rocks?
a. often in layers
b. rounded-appearing mineral and rock particles that are cemented together
c. sheet-like
4. What’re the properties of Igneous rocks?
a. With or without observable crystals b. Not in layers
c. With or without air holes d. Could be glass-like
Fill out the blanks.
5. Which are sedimentary rocks?
a. _______________b.________________c. __________________d. _____________________
True or False.
6. Heat and pressure = Metamorphic rocks
7. Weathering, erosion, deposition and cementation = Sedimentary rocks
8. Cooling of magma = Igneous rocks
Match the following terms with the correct word by drawing a line to the right answer.
Igneous Rocks
changes from their original form into something very different
Sedimentary Rocks
formed from magma underground
Metamorphic Rocks
made up of the same substance and was never alive
Minerals
made from bits of rock that have been pressed together
Rocks and Minerals (3)
Read the following information about rocks and minerals and answer to the questions.
1. Sedimentary – These rocks are formed from sediments produced by weathering and erosion. Sedimentary rocks
consist of very small pieces of rocks or organic matter that have been buried and cemented together in flat-lying
layers. Sedimentary rocks many times contain round edged minerals.
2. Igneous – These rocks are formed from the cooling of hot molten rock. This is either magma, which is molten rock
underground (intrusive igneous rocks); or lava, which is the molten rock once it comes through the Earth’s surface
(extrusive igneous rocks). Igneous rocks do not appear to have layers. Some igneous rocks have crystals, air holes,
or some are glasslike.
3. Metamorphic – These rocks used to be igneous or sedimentary rocks that were put under great pressure or heat
underneath the Earth’s surface and became a new type of rock. They differ from each other due to the sedimentary
or igneous rock they formed from.
Weathering and Erosion
Read the following information about rocks and minerals and answer to the questions.
When water, wind and ice move rock, soil or another material it is called erosion. Erosion is the mover and
weathering is the breaker.
The three simplest causes of erosion are wind, water, and glaciers. Erosion is movement of sediments and
small rocks from one place to another. Wind carries away loose bits of soil and rock, particularly in dry
areas with no plants to cover and protect the land. Water can erode in several different ways. Flowing water
carries soil and rock particles down streams, rivers and into lakes and oceans. Ocean waves pounding the
shore and ocean currents can also carry particles away. Finally, glaciers, massive slow moving rivers of ice,
gouge the land beneath them and scrape away particles and rocks away.
There are three processes of erosion:
1. Blowing Sand 2. Water run-off 3. Other forces are glaciers and gravity
Earth’s surface is constantly changing. Over time, rocks can be broken down and moved by the processes
of weathering and erosion. Weathering breaks rocks into smaller and smaller pieces.
Weathering is the breakdown of rocks into small pieces of rocks or sand.
There are 6 different processes of weathering:
1. Expanding Ice 2. Water Abrasion 3. Root Expansion
4. Wind Abrasion 5. Blowing Sand 6. Water run off
There are two types of weathering—physical and chemical.
Physical weathering is the process that breaks rocks into smaller pieces that have the same composition as
the rock they came from. Rocks can be affected by changing temperature. During the day the sun’s energy
heats Earth, and during the night the rock surface cools. This process can go on, causing the rock surface
to peel or flake. Rocks can be affected by water through frost, freezing, and thawing. Water can find its
way into a small crack or hole in the rock. When the water freezes, it expands and then, as it melts, it may
move deeper into the rock and refreeze. Eventually the rock may break into pieces. Utah has wide
temperature swings during seasons, so there is evidence of this physical weathering not only on rocks, but
also on our highways. Tree and plant roots may push into a rock and, as roots grow bigger, rock material is
pried loose. Gravity can also pull rocks down a hillside where they collide and break into pieces. Abrasion
wears away rocks by solid particles carried by wind or water. All of these forms of physical weathering can
be seen in Utah.
Chemical weathering may also alter the size of the rock, but it changes the mineral composition or chemical
makeup of the rock as well. This can occur through the dissolving action of water. Water mixes with carbon
dioxide to form carbonic acid, which can dissolve some minerals over time. Limestone is especially
susceptible to rain/carbonic acid. Oxygen can also mix with iron to form rust, which can change the internal
composition of some rock. Mosses and lichens produce acids that weaken the surface of rocks. By altering
the minerals of rocks, they break over time. Chemical and physical weathering work together to break rocks
apart.
Write down your answers.
1. What’s weathering?
2. What’s erosion?
3. What may cause erosion?
4. How many types of weathering and what are they?
5. Do weathering and erosion happen together? Yes or No.
6. What is the difference between weathering and erosion?
7. How can water cause weathering? (two ways)
8. How does root expansion cause weathering?
9. How does wind affect erosion?
10. Does weathering or erosion happen in several days or months? Yes or No. And how long it may take?
Soil (1)
1. What’s soil?
Soil is the material that constitutes the outermost layer covering practically all of the Earth's land surface.
2. What’s made of soil?
Soil is made up of particles of rocks and minerals, dead plant and animal matter, tiny living
organisms, gases (air), and water. Soil contains space filled with water and gases (air). Water soaks in
the ground from rain (and other forms of precipitation). Gases come from the air, plants, and animals.
Water in the soil makes minerals available for plants to use.
Soil also contains organisms. Living organisms (such as bacteria, fungi, insects, etc.) are an important part
of soil. Living organisms break down nonliving organic plants and animals in the soil, which makes soil
rich and healthy for plants to grow in.
Every soil consists of minerals, organic matter, water, and air. The proportions may vary but the
following list is the average composition of the major soil ingredients: 45 percent minerals, 25 percent
water, 25 percent air, 5 percent organic matter (both living and dead).
Soil is formed by the slow process of weathering (the breaking down of rock), erosion (the moving and
deposition of weathered rock material), and the combining of those rock particles with air, water and
organic material.
3. Why soil is important to plants? Do plants need soil to grow?
Soil is important to plants. Soil holds plants in place and holds the water that plants need. Soil contains
mineral nutrients that plants need in trace amounts to grow.
Soil is a critical resource. Most of our food crops are grown on soils that have taken millions of years to
form. Food can be grown without soil, but we do not have enough hydroponic technology available to
feed the world. It is important to prevent soil erosion to protect valuable soils.
Plants can be grown without soil, if they are provided air, water, and nutrients from another source.
4. How many layers does soil have?
Soil is usually layered. The uppermost layer is called topsoil and this layer contains humus, plant roots,
and living creatures. The more humus found in topsoil, the more nutrient rich the topsoil and the better the
conditions for growing plants. The middle layer is called subsoil. This contains more clay and less
organic matter. Beneath this is a layer of rocks called bedrock. As the bedrock or parent material is
broken down it becomes weathered into bits and pieces naturally by water, ice, wind, and plants. These
bits and pieces of rock form a large part of our soil.
5. Different types of sediment make different types of soil. Most common soils are a mixture of these
three types.
Sand: Large, gritty particles (Feels like sugar)
Silt: Smaller, smooth particles (Feels like flour)
Clay: Tiny particles, sticky when wet, forms hard clumps or clods when it dries (Feels like modeling clay)
Answers the following questions:
1. What can you find in soil?
a.______________(
c.______________(
%) b. ________________(
%) d. ________________(
2. How many layers in soil and what are they?
3. Which layer you can find the most rocks?
4. What does the top layer contain?
5. What does the second layer contain?
6. What does the bottom layer contain?
7. Do you think plant can be alive without soil? And why?
8. What are other three types of soil?
%)
%)