Weathering: Breaking Down Rocks (Part 2)

What You'll Learn

The rock cycle shows how rocks change from one type to another. Igneous rocks form from cooled magma, sedimentary rocks form from compressed sediment, and metamorphic rocks form under heat and pressure.

Key Words

earthquake
volcano

Materials Needed

newspaper
spray bottle
cups
thermometer
rain gauge
cotton balls

Safety First

Tie back long hair before starting the experiment.
Protect your work surface with newspaper or plastic.
Adult supervision recommended.

Steps

Step 1 — Read

Read and learn: The rock cycle shows how rocks change from one type to another. Igneous rocks form from cooled magma, sedimentary rocks form from compressed sediment, and metamorphic rocks form under heat and pressure.

Step 2 — Do

Build your model using the materials provided.

Step 3 — Observe

Use your senses (except taste) to describe what you notice.

Step 4 — Record

Write a summary of your findings in 3-5 sentences.

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 3

What causes weathering?