Rocks and the Rock Cycle

For this assessment, you will be identifying various rocks in much the same way as you did the minerals. You will use the information you learned in this module to complete the charts below.

Instructions:

1. You will need to use the rock identification charts provided to help identify these rocks. You can enlarge the picture by clicking on it and dragging the edges.

2. Complete the various columns for each rock type and answer the questions.3. You will only submit the CHARTS and the questions, not the entire document.4. Make sure your name is on the document before saving.5. Save the file as: Rocks_Lastname,FirstInitial (example – Rocks_SchulteK)

Igneous Rocks

Sample #1:

Sample #2:

Sample #3:

Sample #4:

Sample #5:

Sedimentary Rocks Classification

Sample #1:

Sample #2:

Sample #3:

Sample #4:

Sample #5:

Sample #1:

Sample #2:

Sample #3:

Sample #4:

Sample #5:

Charts to be completed are below.

Igneous Rock Identification Chart

Sample # Composition Texture Comments Rock Name

Example Quartz/Feldspar Aphanitic Mostly pink Rhyolite

1

2

3

4

5

Sedimentary Rock Identification Chart

Sample #

Texture (Clastic, Chemical or Biochemical)

Composition (what you see

or detect in the rock/minerals

present)

Rock Name

Comments

Example Chemical Dolomite Dolomite

1 Fizzes when powdered

2 Large fragments3 Fizzes in acid4 Tastes salty5 Feels like sand

Metamorphic Rock Identification Chart

Sample #

Texture (Foliated or Non-foliated)

Composition (what you see in the rock/minerals

present)

Rock Name

Parent Rock

Comments

Example F Tiny crystals, Shiny surface

Phyllite Slate

12 Fizzes in acid3 Very flaky,

layered4 Very fine

grained5

Questions:1. Based on the rock cycle and what you have observed about igneous rocks, what processes help create igneous

rocks?2. Based on the rock cycle and what you have observed about sedimentary rocks, what processes help create

sedimentary rocks?

3. Based on the rock cycle and what you have observed about metamorphic rocks, what processes help create metamorphic rocks?

4. Speculate on how the different processes of the rock cycle relate to the various rock textures. In other words, what role do the various processes (for each rock type) play in determining their textures?