Name_________________________ J#_____
Rock Cycle Simulation Lab
Atoms ( the smallest particle of matter that contains the characteristics of an element) are the building blocks for
Crystals; Crystals are the building blocks for Minerals; and Minerals are the building blocks for Rocks! Rocks, as you
know are the building blocks for the Earth’s crust. A ROCK can be made with many different minerals!
Mineral : A naturally occurring, nonliving, solid with a definite structure and composition. INORGANIC!
A great example: Quartz (A hard silicate (organized) mineral)
Rock : An aggregate (mixture) of minerals, mineraloids, glass, or organic matter.
A great example : Granite (A rock made up of mica, feldspar, and quartz)
The Rock Cycle:
The process by which rocks form and change structure.
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There are 3 types of rocks
o Sedimentary : Pieces of rocks, minerals, remains of living things (sediment) that becomes
cemented together to form a rock.
o Igneous : Once magma has reached the earth’s surface to become lava it cools and
becomes solid to form a rock.
o Metamorphic : Over time, heat and pressure inside the earth squeeze and melt existing
rocks changing the initial structure and forming a new rock.
Goal:
Given enough time, everything
changes: mountains are built up and
torn down, continents move and
change shape, even rocks get worn
down and reform. Imagining these
changes that take millions of years
is often easier if we model the
processes in class using familiar
materials. In this activity, you will
model the changes in rocks over
time using crayons.
Materials:
 4 Crayons
 4 craft sticks
 1 Aluminum Foil Square
(20 cm x 20 cm)
 2 Pie Pans (1 frozen—Mrs.
Twedt has this, 1 additional)
 2 Wood Blocks
 1 Clamp
 Tongs
 1 Hot Plate
Part A - Making Sedimentary Rock
WEATHERING
Background
In nature, rocks are broken down by the forces of nature. This process is called weathering. In this
simulation, the crayons represent rock material. The craft stick represents mechanical weathering agents
(wind, sun, rain) that cause rocks to break down into smaller pieces.
To do
 Weather your rock: use the craft stick to shave your crayon into small pieces.
 Collect the shaving on a paper towel. Be as neat as you can. (Every one does this).
Questions-1. Are all the crayon shavings (sediments) the same size or shape? __________________Are the spaces
between the sediments the same size and shape? __________________
2. Would this be true of rock sediments in nature? _______ explain:
3. What do the different colored crayons represent?
4. Where do rock sediments tend to collect in nature?
EROSION AND DEPOSITION
Background
Once rock fragments or sediments have been created, they are usually moved (erosion) by some force of
nature like gravity and dropped in a new location where sediments accumulate or build up (deposition). Here
you will act as the erosion and deposition forces. *The idea that rock does pile up over time with the older
layers on the bottom/newer on the top is the LAW of SUPERPOSITION. The layers are called Strata.
To do
 Pile each partner’s crayon shavings in a neat pile in the center of a piece of foil. You have just moved
and deposited your fragments.
Questions-5. Are the air spaces between the shavings large or small?________ regular or irregular in shape?_________
6. What are some of the major ways that rock particles are eroded and deposited in nature? (Meaning, how
does nature move and lay down (DEPOSIT) rock?)
COMPACTION / CEMENTATION (Lithification)
Background
To make a new rock out of rock fragments, the rock fragments must be compacted and cemented together.
Spaces between the fragments are reduced in size by pressure (compaction) and filled in with cementing
agents (cementation) such as calcite, silica, or iron oxide. 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. The
rock formed from the sediments that have been compacted and cemented together is called sedimentary
rock. *Another term for the compaction and cementation process is lithification.
To do
 Fold the loose layers of crayon shavings inside the aluminum foil (CAREFULLY).
 Place the foil packet between 2 blocks
 Push down on it as hard as you can
Questions-7. Describe the layers. Are they thick or thin?
8. Describe the compaction of the particles. Are they tightly or loosely compacted?
9. Describe the particles. Are they distinct particles, or are they blurred?
10. Is the surface dull or shiny?
Break off a small piece of “sedimentary rock” and put it aside.
Part B- Making Metamorphic Rock
HEAT AND PRESSURE
Background
Deep within the earth, pressure and temperatures increase. The heat and pressure cause minerals and rocks to
change in size or shape, or separate into parallel bands. The minerals can change into other minerals. The
change from one type of rock to another is called metamorphism, and the rocks formed are called
metamorphic rocks.
To do
 Rewrap the sedimentary rock type crayons in the aluminum foil-- (Not the part you put aside).
 Place between the wood blocks.
 Put the blocks in the clamp and tighten as much as possible. Let everyone in the group tighten the
clamp. *We will not be simulating heat in this activity…however, it is assumed.
Questions-11. Describe the layers. Are they thin or thick?
12. Describe the compaction of the particles (due to the pressure). Are they tightly or loosely compacted?
13. Describe the particles. Are they distinct or blurred?
14. Is the surface dull or shiny? What might be the cause of this?
Break off a small piece of “metamorphic rock” and put it aside.
Part C - Making Igneous Rock
MELTING, COOLING, AND CRYSTALLIZATION
Background
Igneous rocks form deep within the earth. They are formed when magma (called lava if it comes to the
surface) cools and hardens. The rocks are called extrusive if they come to the surface during a volcanic
eruption. Extrusive rocks cool rapidly from lava into rocks. Igneous rocks are called intrusive if they cool
slowly beneath the earth’s surface, often inside other rocks. Eventually they are exposed by erosion.
*Regardless of if the rocks cool rapidly or slowly, as they cool, the minerals crystallize (organize their
atomic structures).
To do
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Put a piece of foil over the hot plate to protect it.
Turn the hot plate to medium (6).
Place the all the rest of your crayon shavings (not those you set aside) into an aluminum pie pan
Place the aluminum pan on the hot plate.
Watch the pan and stir occasionally with a craft stick until all of the crayon is melted.
Turn off the hot plate.
Go get FROZEN PIE PLATE.
Using tongs, pour half your melted “magma” into the frozen pie plate. Leave the rest in the original
pie plate.
Observe the samples carefully; feel free to break them into pieces to observe.
Speed of cooling
Fast (Frozen plate)
Igneous Rock Simulation
Observations
Size of particles (Crystals)
Slow (Original-Hot plate)
Questions-15. Which group simulates a rock that comes to the surface and cools quickly in the air?
16. Which group represents a rock that cools deep beneath the surface?
17. What general statement can be made about crystal size and the speed of cooling?
Part D – 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? *Use Vocabulary
Procedure:
1. The Earth’s surface is weathered by the sun, water, ice, plant roots, chemicals, etc. *Broken
down into sediment. (Mechanical or Physical Weathering breaks the surface down into smaller
pieces where physical properties are the only thing changing (shapes, sizes, etc.), Chemical
Weathering is where the actual composition is changed (acid rain, dissolving, rusting).
2. This sediment is now transported and it continues to break down (erosion) by wind, moving
water (streams, waves, rain, etc), glaciers, gravity, living organisms, etc.
3. Sediment is then deposited (set down, set aside, etc) where more sediment builds up layer upon
layer (deposition).
4. This sediment is then compacted due to the layers above
METAMORPHIC:
How are these rocks formed? *Use Vocabulary
IGNEOUS:
How are these rocks formed? *Use Vocabulary