rocks and minerals. what is a rock? a rock is a hard, solid substance that forms parts of the...
TRANSCRIPT
Rocks and Minerals
What is a rock?
• A rock is a hard, solid substance that forms parts of the Earth’s crust or top layer.
Rocks can be broken down into smaller pieces.
• Rocks are made up of dirt, minerals, and sand.
• Minerals cannot be broken down.
• However, some minerals are so small, they look like dust. When you add them to water, and the water evaporates (disappears), so does the mineral!
What is a mineral?
• A mineral is solid substance that is not living (inorganic), has a chemical composition (it had to have a chemical process such as heat to form), and a crystalline form (it is shiny, and looks like a crystal).
What chemical process do minerals go through?
• Minerals are chemically changed by the heat and pressure inside the Earth.
• The Earth is made up of layers, and the deeper you go into the Earth, the hotter it is, and the more pressure.
If a mineral has to look like a crystal, what is a crystal?
• A crystal is a solid shape that has specific patterns. There are 7 basic crystal patterns.
Where are minerals found?
• In rocks!
Wow, I really like learning about the Earth! If I want to study the Earth what would I be studying?
• Geology• The people that study the Earth, andits materials arecalled geologists.
Geologists use many tools to dig, and investigate rocks, and minerals.
• Picks
• Measuring Tape
• Brushes
• Hand Lens
What do they measure?
• Geologists measure how big around a rock is, or the distance around a circular object. That is called the circumference of the rock.
What do they measure?
• Geologists measure how wide a rock is, or the distance across a circular object. That is called the diameter of the rock.
What do they measure?
• Geologists measure how thick a rock is from top to bottom. That is called the depth of the rock.
• You might think of this one, as you think of the thickness of a book.
How do geologists know what kind of rock, or mineral they have found?
• They measure the rocks, and put them into groups by their properties.
• Properties are things you can see, or observe. Examples are the size, color, shape, and texture.
Next time you look at a rock, see if you can also find
the minerals inside it!