LO: To be able to classify rocks by their

appearance and properties

Who would win in a fight, the metal or the rock? Why do you think this?

Construction Conundrum

Have a look at the rocks? How might we describe / compare them? Come up

with 5 ways…

Granite

Marble

Basalt

Slate Sandstone

Limestone

The Museum

The British museum in London wants a statue but wants it to last a long time. It should be resistant to weather. But what rock should they use?

What properties should the rock have? Think of two you want to test.

How could you test them?Come up with a plan. You have:

You have:

Labelled rock samples Dil. Hydrochloric Acid Beakers Watch glasses Hand lenses Universal Indicator Electronic balances

You are going to test two different properties of rocks.

(So its two different investigations!)

5 min planning to start off

Possibilities to explore include:

•Porosity (little holes – how much water does it take on?•Acid rain – How does it deal with acid? Does it wear away?•Hardness – Will it scratch?•Structure – Crystals?

Recording your Results

Design a table to collect your results in

This is usually

the thing you

change

These are usually the things you have measured

NEVER FORGET YOUR UNITS!!! (e.g. s, m, cm, N)

Use a PENCIL and RULER

Rock Layers? Crystals? Grainy? Heavy? Bubble in

water?Fossils? Other

Sandstone

Slate

Limestone

Basalt

Schist

Granite

Results

A rock is made of grains that fit together

Each grain in the rock is made from a mineral, which is a chemical compound

Rock Appearance

• The grains in a rock can be different colours, shapes and sizes – this is what gives them different textures

In some rocks the grains fit together and there are no gaps

Their grains are interlocking and these rocks are sometimes called crystals

Rock Texture

Interlocking grains, such as granite

In other rocks the grains are rounded, and do not fit together

(there are lots of gaps)

Their grains are non-interlocking

Rock Texture

Non-interlocking grains, such as

sandstone

Rocks with rounded grains are more likely to absorb water

than rocks with interlocking grains because the water can get into the gaps between the grains

Rocks that absorb water are called porous

Rocks with rounded grains are usually softer and more crumbly than rocks with interlocking grains

Porous

Conclusions…

Write a letter/create presentation to the director of the museum offering advice as to which rock they should choose/select to build statue.

You must include evidence from your investigation to back up your recommendation.