Rock Cycle Simulation Lab
Name: __________________________ Block: ______ Date: _________
Goal: To simulate the rock cycle using crayons to
represent rocks.
Materials:
 Crayons
 Coin
 Aluminum Foil Square
 Paper Towels
Part I - Making Sedimentary Rock
Erosion
1. 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.
2. Erode your rock. In other words, use a coin to shave your crayons into small pieces.
Collect the shavings on a paper towel. Be as neat as you can.
3. Answer these questions about your eroded rocks:
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?
Deposition
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Answer the following questions:
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
1. 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). This simulation will not add
cementing agents. It will only simulate compaction. The compaction process occurs as
sediment layers are continually covered by new layers of sediments. The lower layers
become compacted by the weight of the new layers above.
2. Carefully fold the loose layers of crayon shavings inside the aluminum foil.
3. Bring your folded packet to the front of the classroom for Mr. Solomon to compact
your eroded rocks (crayon shavings).
4. Answer the following questions:
a. Do you see any layers? Are they thin or thick?
b. Describe the compaction. Are they tightly or loosely compacted?
5. Save one small piece of “sedimentary rock.”
Part II- Making Metamorphic Rock
Heat and Pressure
1. 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.
2. Rewrap the loosely compacted, sedimentary rock-type crayons shavings in the
aluminum foil.
3. Bring your folded packet to the front of the classroom for Mr. Solomon to apply HEAT
and PRESSURE to your sedimentary rock.
4. Answer the following questions:
a. Do you see any layers? Are they thin or thick?
b. Describe the compaction. Are they tightly or loosely compacted?
5. Save one small piece of “metamorphic rock.”
Part III - Making Igneous Rock
Melting and Cooling of Rock
1. Igneous rocks form deep within the earth. They originate in magma chambers
embedded in solid rock.
2. Take your remaining crayon shavings or pieces of “sedimentary” and “metamorphic”
rock to your teacher at the front of the classroom.
3. Your teacher will then demonstrate the melting and cooling process that forms
igneous rock.
4. Answer the following questions:
a. Describe what the melted “rock” (magma) looked like.
b. Describe the cooling process and the final appearance of the “igneous” rock.
Part IV – Conclusions
1. Look at all three “rock” samples. Use your simulated “rocks” to
help you describe the following rock types.
SEDIMENTARY:
How are these rocks formed?
METAMORPHIC:
How are these rocks formed?
IGNEOUS:
How are these rocks formed?
http://preuss.ucsd.edu/FacultyWebpages/Solomon/Science%20Pages/Assignments/04%20Rocks,%20Minerals/Rock%20Cycle%20Sim%20Lab(new).
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