5 paragraph essay on the rock cycle
The rock cycle is a basic concept in geology that describes transitions through geologic time among the three main rock types: sedimentary , metamorphic , and igneous. Each rock type is altered when it is forced out of its equilibrium conditions. For example, an igneous rock such as basalt may break down and dissolve when exposed to the atmosphere , or melt as it is subducted under a continent. Due to the driving forces of the rock cycle, plate tectonics and the water cycle , rocks do not remain in equilibrium and change as they encounter new environments.
The Rock Cycle Steps & Science Lesson
Rocks have a reputation for being solid, hard, and indestructible. But rocks are always changing! Rocks undergo change as outlined in the rock cycle which is similar to the water cycle. Rocks change very slowly under normal activity , but sometimes catastrophic events like a volcanic eruption or a flood can speed up the process.
Rocks line river beds and jut above the landscape as mountain peaks; they are fun to collect and sometimes are very beautiful.
Each rock is different; some are smooth and round, some are sharp and dangerous. They come in all colors: pink, green, orange, white, red. Igneous rocks are formed when hot magma melted rock is rapidly cooled, either by hitting underground air pockets or by flowing from the mouth of a volcano as lava. Granite, obsidian, and pumice are all common examples of igneous rocks.
Pumice is a very porous rock, because when the lava cooled, pockets of air were trapped inside. Because of all those air pockets, pumice can actually float! Sedimentary rocks are formed by layers of sediment dirt, rock particles, etc. Common examples of these rocks are limestone, sandstone, and shale. Sedimentary rocks often have lots of fossils in them because plants and animals get buried in the layers of sediment and turned into stone.
Metamorphic rocks are a combination of rock types, compressed together by high pressure and high heat. They usually have a more hard, grainy texture than the other two types. When the particles are broken off a rock and stay in the same area, it is called weathering. Try making a stack of catalogs and watch how the bottom one gets squished as you add more on top — this is the same idea as the compaction of layers of sediment.
Dissolved minerals fill in the small gaps between particles and then solidify, acting as cement. After years of compaction and cementation, the sediment turns into sedimentary rock. Their movement often results in earthquakes. See if you can find sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks where you live. As you study them, think about how they have undergone many slow changes to become what they are.
Draw a picture of the rocks you find and then draw a diagram of the rock cycle steps. Keep reading to see how you can experience the rock cycle process for yourself! Wind and water and blowing sand can, over time, rub away the rough edges of rocks, leaving smooth stones. But weathering can happen at home, too!
Many people use a rock tumbler to shape and polish the rocks they collect. The results are smooth, shiny rocks. When people tumble gemstones usually semi-precious ones they find , they can end up with beautiful colors and can even use the polished stones to make their own jewelry.
The most precious gems are chosen for their beauty , rarity , and durability. Semi-precious gems usually have one or two of these characteristics, but fall short in some area. Fluorite, for instance, is very beautiful but it is too soft and will scratch easily. Agate, quartz, and amethyst are other examples of semi-precious gems. Diamonds are gemstones that are considered very precious, and for good reason.
Though they are made of carbon, one of the most common elements, diamonds are generally regarded as some of the most beautiful gemstones. They are relatively rare, because most diamonds are not jewelry quality. Diamond mines usually have 1 part diamond to 40 million parts other rock. But a diamond high-quality enough to be in an engagement ring is the product of the removal and processing of to million times its volume of rock!
It is the hardest substance found in nature, four times harder than the next hardest natural substance, corundum sapphire and ruby. It also has the highest melting point, and conducts heat five times better than the second best element, silver. Have you ever made a rock collection? Part of the fun is gathering as many different rocks as you can find. But even though rocks come in many different colors, shapes, and sizes, they all fit into one of three categories based on how they were formed.
Learn about the rock cycle steps, the three main types of rocks, and what happens when rocks get so hot that they melt! Unwrap four different-colored Starburst candies. Have an adult use the scissors to help you cut each piece of candy into pieces. Next, rub your palms together back and forth quickly for several seconds. Then pick up the pile of candy and push the pieces together to form a ball. Your ball should look lumpy with the candy pieces visible. Next, have an adult help you use your heat source to soften the lumpy ball of candy.
Some ideas include rolling it with a rolling pin, placing a pile of heavy books on top of it, stepping on it, or whatever else you can think of! Then put it back in the wax paper and repeat the process of applying pressure, this time trying a new technique, if you want. When you remove the Starburst from the wax paper now, it should be soft and pliable, so you can easily roll it into a ball. Have an adult help you use your heat source to apply enough heat to completely melt the lump of candy.
Do not put aluminum in a microwave! Have an adult use tongs to remove the foil container from the heat source and place it somewhere out of reach to allow it to cool. How is the candy different now? The rock cycle is the entire process of forming rocks, and like a circle, it has no beginning or end. Give it a try! Keep reading to learn about the rock cycle steps and the three types of rocks.
And yet, scientists classify them all in only three groups! Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks on the surface of the earth are constantly being broken down by wind and water. Wind carrying sand wears particles off rock like sandpaper. Rushing river water and crashing surf rub off all the rough edges of rocks, leaving smooth river rocks or pebbles behind. Water seeps into the cracks in mountain rocks, then freezes, causing the rocks to break open.
The result of all this? Large rocks are worn down to small particles. When the particles are carried somewhere else, it is called erosion. Eroded rock particles are carried away by wind or by rain, streams, rivers, and oceans. As rivers get deeper or flow into the ocean, their current slows down, and the rock particles mixed with soil sink and become a layer of sediment. Often the sediment builds up faster than it can be washed away, creating little islands and forcing the river to break up into many channels in a delta.
As the layers of sediment stack up above water or below , the weight and pressure compacts the bottom layers. Over very long periods of time, sedimentary or igneous rocks end up buried deep underground, usually because of the movement of tectonic plates.
While underground, these rocks are exposed to high heat and pressure, which changes them into metamorphic rock. This tends to happen where tectonic plates come together: the pressure of the plates squish the rock that is heated from hot magma below.
Rock Melting. Metamorphic rocks underground melt to become magma. When a volcano erupts, magma flows out of it. As the lava cools it hardens and becomes igneous rock. As soon as new igneous rock is formed, the processes of weathering and erosion begin, starting the whole cycle over again!
Gemstones Wind and water and blowing sand can, over time, rub away the rough edges of rocks, leaving smooth stones. A gem or a gemstone is any mineral that can be cut and polished for jewelry or other decoration. Pile up the the pieces and mix them around. Elements: Earth, Water, Air, and Fire. How to Test Rocks Activity.
Free Essays from Bartleby | Metamorphic Rock Metamorphism means to change form; this is Words | 5 Pages This paper will take a look at the Earth's rock cycle to examine exactly where the metamorphic rock fits into it. information Subject* Geography Grade* Grade 10 Section (post-subject category)* Water in. Igneous rock can change into sedimentary rock or into metamorphic rock. essay, I am going to describe the rock cycle by tracing the movement of a Seventy percent are sedimentary rocks that are on the earths surface, the other 5% is on.
A rock is a naturally occurring substance or solid material which is composed of one or more minerals. There are three types of rocks namely — Igneous , Metamorphic and Sedimentary rocks. These rock are in a continuous cycle of process whereby they are changed from one type of rocks to another which may or may not be of different mineral composition.
Like most Earth materials, rocks are created and destroyed in cycles.
Free comparison and contrast essay Answer Save. Just to learn more about the rock and how the rock was made it ….
the rock cycle essay
Metamorphic Rock Metamorphism means to change form; this is exactly what metamorphic rocks do. It will also look at how metamorphic rocks are formed and the relationship between metamorphic rocks and igneous rock and sedimentary rocks. This paper will examine the geological characteristics and materials of metamorphic rocks, and examine some examples of metamorphic rocks and will describe. Hydrologic Cycle The hydrologic cycle is the reason our planet is able to sustain the life we have on it. If it were not for this constant cycle of evaporation and condensation of the water from the ocean and waterways to land and back again we would not be able to exist.
Rock cycle
Inside Earth there is heat from paragraph push your hands together very the and feel the heat. There is read article from friction rub your hands together and feel the heat. There is also essay from rock decay the process that gives us nuclear power plants that cycle electricity. So, what does the heat do to the rock? It bakes the rock. This is not an example of text written by our writers! You can use them at you own risk following the citation rules below. But we recommend you to order a custom plagiarism-free essay written just for you from one of our writers.
The Rock Cycle was probably the first of Earth's cycles or systems to be recognized and studied, at least in a qualitative sense.
Rocks have a reputation for being solid, hard, and indestructible. But rocks are always changing! Rocks undergo change as outlined in the rock cycle which is similar to the water cycle.
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Explain the parts of the rock cycle and their importance. Use specific vocabulary from our rocks and minerals unit. Revisit the Rocks and Minerals websites gvs6th gmail. Sylvain to borrow one for vocabulary. Use the attached pages to complete the assignment. Stick to a more formal tone. Revisit hook Use the idea in your hook to wrap up. All information is clearly and logically organized in appropriate paragraphs. Most grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors have been fixed. Errors do not interfere with meaning. Grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors are present. Errors distract from meaning. Grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors are present, making outline difficult to read. Submitted one day late Wednesday ; handwriting is somewhat difficult to read. Learn more about Scribd Membership Home.
Rock Cycle Short Essay
Igneous rock forms when magma cools and makes crystals. Magma is a hot liquid made of melted minerals. The minerals can form crystals when they cool. Igneous rock can form underground, where the magma cools slowly. Or, igneous rock can form above ground, where the magma cools quickly.
