Sedimentary Rocks LAB
Name: ________________________________________Date: _______
Use Website: www.geology.com
Introduction/Purpose
This lab is intended to familiarize the student with various samples of
sedimentary rock. Sedimentary rocks come in 3 basic varieties. The
first is known as clastic rocks). These rocks are formed when inorganic
sediment is transported, deposited, and processed by lithification
(cementation and compaction). The second variety is known as chemical.
Chemical sedimentary rocks form when materials that are carried in
solution precipitate (water evaporates or is removed). A third subtype, usually classified under chemical rocks, is known as organic or
biochemical. These rocks form when material (skeletons) from
organisms that were once living deposit and come together to form
sedimentary rock.
Materials
 Shale, coal, breccia, limestone, conglomerate, sandstone,
halite( rock salt)

hand lens
Procedure
1. Working with your group, your task is to make an attempt to identify
all 7 of the rock samples.
2. Using website geology.com and your textbook, try to identify the
seven sedimentary rocks.
3. Answer the questions and write a conclusion.
Sedimentary Rocks LAB
Questions
A. Answer the following questions:
1. Sedimentary rocks are classified according to the type of
__________________ that make up the rock.
2. Types of sediments include _____________, ___________, rocks, or
______________ grains.
3. Sedimentary rocks that are made from particles of sediments are called
__________________ rocks.
4. Sedimentary rocks that are made from remains of _____________ and
___________ are called ______________ rocks,
5. Sedimentary rocks that are made from minerals that have been
crystallized in solution are called _______________ rocks.
B.
Fill in the following chart with the appropriate names and rock types that
belong to each group. Use your textbook, pages 64 and 65.
Conclusion:
1. Sedimentary rocks are made by a series of processes called
________________________________.
2. Name the five processes: _________________, _________________,
_______________________, ______________________, and ____________________.
3. Name 2 clastic rocks. _________________________and ___________________.
4. Name 2 organic rocks. ____________________ and ____________________.
5. Name 2 chemical rocks. _________________________and ___________________.
Sedimentary Rocks LAB
Data Collection/Analysis
Observations: Put an X or / for the type of rock
Rock
Sample
color
Clastic
(fragmented)
texture?/Type
Organic
(bioclastic)
texture?/type
of sediments(X
Chemical
Evaporite
(crystalline)
texture?/type
or /)
of sediment(X
(X or /)
or /)s,
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
of sediments,
fossils/
shells?
Yes or No
Rock name
Sedimentary Rocks LAB