Weathering: Breaking Down Rocks (Part 3)

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

erosion
weathering

Materials Needed

water
plastic tray
magnifying glass
newspaper
spray bottle
cups

Safety First

Use materials only as directed in the experiment.
Keep small objects away from young children.

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?