Mr. Jucks
Science Notes
Pg. 55
Standard: S3E1. I will investigate the physical attributes of rocks and soils.
EQ: What are minerals and rocks?
Mineral- a solid object found in nature that has never been alive.
Physical Properties
 Color
 Luster-how shiny or dull the mineral is.
 Shape
 Hardness
o Ex. Mineral -Salt
 Color- white/ clear
 Luster- mid-shiny
 Crystal shaped
 Hardness- gritty
What are three ways minerals are used?
1. In pencil used at schools
2. salt in our food
3. to create coins
4. to make glass
5. to make jewelry
Ways to Indentify Minerals
Hardness- is the measure of how difficult it is for a mineral to be scratched.
Streak- the color that is left behind by a mineral when it is rubbed against something
What are two tests that can help you identify a mineral?
1. streak, hardness, color, luster
Rocks- a natural formed solids made from grains of one or more minerals.
Ex. Granite (formed from)
1. mica
2. quartz
3. feldspar
4. mica
Homework pg. 64 (1-6)
Ch. 2 Lesson 2
EQ: What are the types of rocks?
1. Igneous- the rock that was once melted and then cooled and hardened.
2. Sedimentary- rocks made when materials settle into layers and get squeezed until
they are harden into rock.
3. Metamorphic rock- rocks that has been changed by heat(Temperature) or
pressure.
Examples of the types of rocks.
1. Igneousa. Granite
2. Sedimentarya. Sandstone
b. Limestone
3. Metamorphica. Marble.
The Rock Cycle
EQ: How does the rock cycle describe the forming of rocks?
Rock Cycle- the process in which rocks change from one kind of rock to another.
To form:
 Metamorphic- temp. and pressure
Metamorphic Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks form under intense heat and pressure. Metamorphic rocks start out
as igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks or other types of metamorphic rocks, but through
heat or pressure, change characteristics such as sheen, tightness of grain and hardness.

Sedimentary- wind and water
Sedimentary Rocks
Sedimentary rocks form from small weathered particles of other rocks or the weathered
shells of sea animals. Wind and rain beating on the faces of exposed rock tend to wear off
particles that are blown or washed to a new location. When sea creatures die, the shells
settle on the bottom of the ocean. As the sediments pile up, they press together to form
Sedimentary rock.

Igneous- melting
Igneous Rocks
Igneous rocks are formed of magma, the molten form of the earth’s mantle layer. Igneous
rocks can form above ground as lava spewing from volcanoes. But igneous rocks can also
form below the surface. Pockets of magma get stuck in layers of the earth. As they get
closer and closer to the surface, the magma slowly cools. Granite is an igneous rock that
formed from a slow-cooling pocket of magma.
The Rock Cycle
Lesson- Soils
EQ: What are some types of soils?
Soil- is a mixture of water, air, humus, and tiny pieces of rocks.
 The loose material in Earth’s upper layer in which plants can grow and
many types of animals live.
Humus- is the part of soil made up of broken down pieces of dead plants and animals.
Soil is formed by layers.
Layers of soil
 Topsoil- is the layer on top where you will find most bugs. (ex.
Earthworms, and ants) contains a lot of humus
 Subsoil- contains less humus ( ex. This is where you find tree roots)
 Bedrock- is a solid rock underneath loose materials
Types of soils
 Sand- small pieces of rocks that can be seen by the eye
 Silt- tiny grains of rocks that are too small see without a microscope.
 Clay- soil with very very tiny grains of rocks
Loam-is a mixture of humus, clay, silt, and sand.
 Plants take water from the soil through their roots.
.
Ch. 2.4 pg 92
EQ: How do rocks and soil change?
Weathering- the breaking down of smaller pieces of rocks
Erosion- the movement if weathered rock and soil
**The Earth surface is always changing.
Causes of Weathering
1. Wind
2. Water
3. Ice
4. Gravity