Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Rocks and
minerals
Geology is the study of rocks and how the Earth
surface has changed over millions of years. By
studying the rocks and minerals of the Earth,
we can find out how they were formed and how
their different properties
make them useful to us.
For example, what makes some materials useful
for building, and others betters for producing
jewelry, glass or metals?
Activities
1. Do you know which rocks are used to
make glass?
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4. Look and read the rocks and minerals: quartz, chalk, diamond, granite, marble, slate
MARBLE CHALK
QUARTZ
DIAMOND
GRANITE
SLATE
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Rock detectives key
Find out how to distinguish between different types of rocks!
1. Write the key to find and write two facts about marble.
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Rocks and mineral formation
Rocks and minerals make up the Earth crust. Rocks are clusters of minerals
and other inorganic materials. Minerals are structured crystals that have
specific chemical components.
Rocks
There are three main types of rocks: igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic.
Igneous rocks
Sedimentary rocks
Sedimentary rocks form when bits rock, minerals or
plant or animal materials are compacted and
cemented.
Metamorphic rocks
Form from other rocks that change because of heat
and pressure beneath Earth’s surface.
Activities
1. How are igneous rocks formed?
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Minerals
We can find several types of minerals of many different colors and sizes in rocks. This is
because there are over 4000 types of minerals in the world.
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Uses of rocks and minerals
Rocks and minerals found in the Earth’s crust are used for a wide variety of
purposes. Every day we come across many rocks and minerals, eve if we do
not realize it. The properties of minerals include their colour, hardness, and
lustre (shininess).
Material
Limestone is a avery hard rock formed of calcium carbonate and fossils. Colors range from
white, brown, yellow, grey, green and even blue.
Quartz is a hard mineral that can be many colors from colorless to green or pink.
Diamonds are hard transparent carbon minerals. they are resistant to scratching.
Talc is a soft mineral and its color can vary between white, green or grey.
Activities
1. Where do minerals come from?
Uses
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Talc is used in talcum powder. Because it is soft and smooth,
talc is one of the oldest known solid lubricants, also used in
baby powder, paints and to keep basketball players’ hands dry.
Other uses
Marble, granite and sandstone are some common rocks that are
carved to make statues. Michelangelo's David is made of very fine
marble.
Activities
1. In groups, make a list of all the ways in which we use
rocks and minerals at home. What rocks are most commonly found in your area?
2. How many chemical elements are there? what is the table called were we can find them
all?
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Find out: More about rocks
Idea
We can find out about the composition of rocks by testing their permeability. You will use
water and a magnifying glass.
Materials
• Different types of rock
• Magnifying glass
• Dropper
• Water
• Paper
• Pencil
• iPads
Process/carry out
1. Look at the rocks and decide what type of rock the are (igneous, sedimentary,
metamorphic)
2. Use the dropper to place of water on each rock. If they absorb the water, they are
permeable.
3. If they do not absorb it, use the water as a magnifying glass. draw what you see, then
do the same with the magnifying glass.
Use this table to take your notes. (You can identify some of your rocks using the key on
page 3)
Photo
Colour
Texture
Type or rock
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Review
1. Copy and complete
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4. Read the lists and sort the odd one out and why.
a. basalt/ glass/cement/concrete
b. colour/hardness/igneous/lustre
c. diamond/sandstone/slate/limestone
d. sedimentary/lava/igneous/metamorphic
e. limestone/quartz/granite/marble
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