LE 6 Rock Cycle (1)

.pdf

School

Mt San Antonio College *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

Subject

Geology

Date

Dec 6, 2023

Type

pdf

Pages

Uploaded by BailiffFrog3667

Lab Exercise 6 (LE6): Rock Cycle In this lab are instructions to perform the exercises and questions for you to answer. Keep track of your answers in a separate document because you will submit them to the corresponding “quiz” on Canvas. You are required to begin working on the LEs early in the week so that you have time to work out any issues by communicating with your classmates and instructor through the Discussion Forum. Allow 3-5 hours to complete each LE. Last minute technical problems are not a valid excuse for late work. Late work is not accepted. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and consistency in the exercises. If you notice an error, post this information in the Discussion Forum and email your instructor so that corrections can be made. Weekly schedule: • Mon-Fri - Begin working on LE's, Questions and needed clarification to the Lab exercises must be submitted to the DF by Friday. • Fri - Minimum of 1 posting to the DF, continue working on LE's • Sunday - Review LE's, submit answers to quizzes and make final posts to DF Earth’s Interior Studying the Earth’s interior poses a significant challenge due to the lack of direct access. However, the heat generated within the Earth drives many processes observed at the Earth’s surface; because of that, an understanding of the Earth’s interior is essential. Volcanism, earthquakes, and many of the Earth’s surface features are a result of processes happening within the Earth. Much of what we know regarding the Earth’s interior is through indirect means, such as using seismic data to determine Earth’s internal structure. Scientists discovered in the early 1900’s that seismic waves generated by earthquakes could be used to help distinguish the properties of the Earth’s internal layers. The velocity of these waves (called primary and secondary waves, or P and S waves) changes based on the density of the materials they travel through. As a result, seismic waves do not travel through the Earth in straight lines; rather, they are reflected and refracted, which indicates that the Earth is not homogeneous throughout. The Earth’s interior consists of an inner and outer core, the mantle, and the crust. Located in the center of the Earth is the inner core, which is very dense and under incredible pressure, and is thought to be composed of an iron and nickel alloy. It is solid, and surrounded by a region of liquid iron and nickel called the outer core. The outer core is thought to be responsible for the generation of the Earth’s magnetic field. A very large portion of the Earth’s volume is in the mantle, which surrounds the core. This layer is less dense than the core, and consists of a solid that can behave in a plastic (deformable) manner. The thin outer layer of the Earth is the crust. The two types, continental and oceanic crust, vary from each other in thickness, composition, and density. Learning Outcomes After completing this exercise, you should be able to:

• Diagram the rock cycle • Define what a mineral is and describe the major mineral families that make up most rocks. • Describe the origin and characteristics of sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks. • Create a diagram of intrusive igneous rock bodies. 6. 1 The Rock Cycle Go to https://www.learner.org/series/interactive-rock-cycle/ . Here, you see an interactive exercise on the rock cycle. Complete this exercise, including the Test Your Skills section, then answer the following questions using the information provided in the interactive, as well as the information provided in your textbook. Question 1: List the 3 main types or classes of rock. Question 2: Upon what are the differences between these 3 rock types based? Question 3: How is igneous rock formed? Question 4: How would you describe igneous rocks in terms of such characteristics as appearance, granularity, hardness, density, color, pattern, etc. Question 5: How is sedimentary rock formed? Question 6: How would you describe sedimentary rocks in terms of such characteristics as appearance, granularity, hardness, density, color, pattern, etc. Question 7: How is metamorphic rock formed? Question 8: How would you describe metamorphic rock in terms of such characteristics as appearance, granularity, hardness, density, color, pattern, etc. Under the title of WHAT TO LOOK FOR is a chart of key characteristics that can help you identify rocks within the three main classes. Below are the images used in the chart, re-ordered. Rock A Conglomerate

Rock B Limestone Rock C Gneiss Rock D Marble Rock E Baslat Rock F Obsidian As you proceed through the interactive you will be asked to develop a rock collection. As you do it, answer these questions: Question 9: Which rock in your “collection” is characterized as having “ribbonlike layers”? Question 10: Which “class or type” of rock would this example be? Question 11: Which rock in your “collection” would most likely be formed near oceans and lakes? Question 12: Which “class or type” of rock would this example be? Question 13: Which rock in your “collection” would most likely exhibit gas bubbles? Question 14: Which “class or type” of rock would this example be?

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help