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Center #1: Sugar Cube Rock Cycle

Part I Background Information: Read the paragraph before starting the lab.

The ROCK CYCLE is a diagram that shows the slow, continuous process of rocks changing from one type to another. The Rock Cycle is a series of changes. Igneous rock can change into sedimentary rock or into metamorphic rock. Sedimentary rock can change into metamorphic rock or into igneous rock. Metamorphic rock can change into igneous or sedimentary rock. The rock cycle is an illustration that is used to explain how the three rock types are related to each other and how Earth processes change a rock from one type to another through geologic time. Plate tectonic movement is responsible for the recycling of rock materials and is the driving force of the rock cycle; a trip through the rock cycle takes millions of years.

Part II Procedure: Follow the procedure step-by-step. Note that you must stop between each step and answer a question.

Gather Materials:

·  Sugar cube

·  Hot Plate

·  Foil Square

·  Aluminum Pan (for crushing sugar cube)

·  Hammer (for crushing sugar cube)

·  Clamp (for handling foil boat on hot plate)

·  Hand lens

·  Goggles

Conduct Experiment:

1. Turn the hot plate on to #6. Examine the sugar cube with a hand lens. How is the sugar cube like sedimentary rock?

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2. Gently crush the sugar cube in the aluminum pan with the hammer into a powder. What part of the rock cycle does this represent?

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3. Make a “boat” with your foil. Pour the crushed sugar into the foil boat. What part of the rock cycle does this movement represent?

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4. Put on the goggles. Place the foil boat on the hot plate. Observe as the sugar begins to melt. What part of the rock cycle does this represent?

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5. Use the clamp to remove the foil boat from the hot plate, put it inside the aluminum pan. Let the sugar cool and harden. What part of the rock cycle does this represent?

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6. Break the hardened sugar into pieces. What part of the rock cycle does this represent?

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Part III Analysis and Conclusion:

7. Explain how and why the sugar cube rock cycle is a scientific model of the actual rock cycle:

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8. What type of rock is formed at convergent plate boundaries? Why?

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9. What type of rock is found at divergent plate boundaries? Why?

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10. What type of rock is found at transform plate boundaries? Why?

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