1. The Rock Cycle By Lane W. Nixon and Jennifer Ambler

2. What is Rock? • Rocks are made of crystal grains • grain characteristics • color • size • large • small • type • interlocking (like Granite)‏ • hard • rounded (like Sandstone)‏ • porous (absorb water)‏ • soft • crumbly

3. Do rocks ever change? • Click to add an outline Yes! rocks can change or transform. Sandstone Granite

4. Why do Rocks Change? • Continuous cycle of grain growth and destruction called THE ROCK CYCLE Forces: • Weathering • Erosion • Heat • Pressure • Cooling • Melting • Compaction • Cementation

5. THE ROCK CYCLE • Three major types of rock: • Igneous • Sedimentary • Metamorphic

6. Igneous Rock • Formed when magma or molten rock cools and solidifies. Obsidian Pumice

7. More Igneous Rock

8. Sedimentary Rock • Formed wherever sediments accumulate. Conglomerate Limestone

9. More Sedimentary Rock Sandstone closeup From Utah, sandstone More sandstone

10. Metamorphic Rock • Formed when heat, pressure, and chemical reactions alter the grains of the rock. Marble Slate

11. More Metamorphic Rock More marble

12. Question • Rocks have been categorized in terms of the Rock Cycle. • Can we also categorize rock in terms of crystal grain size and shape?

13. References http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/earthsysflr/rock.html http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks3bitesize/science/chemistry/rock_cycle_intro.shtml http://www.msnucleus.org/membership/slideshows/rockCycle2.html http://www.rocksandminerals4u.com/rock_cycle_lesson.html http://geology.com/rocks/igneous-rocks.shtml http://geology.com/rocks/metamorphic-rocks.shtml http://geology.com/rocks/sedimentary-rocks.shtml http://www.exo.net/~emuller/activities/#earthscience