Rock Cycle Lab

Name: ______

Question: Why do rocks not look the same and why are they different sizes?

Materials:

•Crayons

•Crayon Sharpener

•Aluminum Foil

•Pie Pan

•Clothespin

Hypothesis:

______

Procedure:

  1. Make crayon shavings by sharpening your crayons. Sharpen your crayons over the aluminum foil. Be sure to use different colors of crayons. You will need enough shavings to make a small pile. The shavings represent sediment.
  2. With the crayon sediment inside the aluminum foil fold the ends of the foil together to enclose the shavings inside. Make sure to fold the edges in so that all the crayon sediment is inside the foil and none can fall out.
  3. Place the foil packet of sediment between 2 books. Then press on the top of the books to flatten the crayon shavings.
  4. Open the packet and examine your crayon sediment. Record your observations in the data section, number 1.
  5. Now rewrap your crayon rock and place it between the books again. Now apply more pressure to the top of the book.
  6. Open the packet and examine your crayon rock again. Notice the changes and record your observations in the data section, number 2.
  7. Rewrap the crayon rock and hold your packet over a candle with a clothespin for several minutes. Make sure you DO NOT TOUCH THE ALUMINUM FOIL AFTER YOU HAVE BEGAN HEATING IT.
  8. Place the rock packet in the pie pan to cool.
  9. After the rock packet has cooled for several minutes unwrap it your rock and record your observations in the data section, number 3.
  10. Dispose of your crayon rock (and any pieces) and the aluminum foil in the trash can.

Data:

  1. (Pressure applied first time.) ______
  2. (Pressure applied second time.) ______
  3. (Heat applied.) ______

Conclusion:

  1. What type of rock did you create after you placed the shavings into the aluminum foil and applied pressure the first time? ______
  2. What kind of rock was created after you applied pressure the second time? ______
  3. What kind of rock was created when you added heat to your crayon rock? ______
  4. What is the process that you demonstrated in this lab? ______