Demonstration
The Rock Cycle
Materials
1. Microwave
2. Gram Crackers
3. Marshmallows
4. Hershey's Chocolate
5. Icing
Safety
Address any rules concerning food in the classroom.
Procedure
1.Simulate magma rising and cooling using a box of gram crackers,
marshmallows, and chocolate.
2.Have students pull out one gram cracker, one marshmallow, and a piece of
chocolate to simulate erosion.
3.Have students combine sediments (gram cracker, marshmallow, and
chocolate). Use icing to signify Lithification.
4.Put the combination in the microwave and cook it.
Questions
1.What does lithification mean?
2.What does Metamorphism mean?
3.What will happen with extra heat and pressure?
4.What are two different kinds of erosion?
5.Tell me another route that could be taken in the rock cycle.
Explanation
This demonstration is a model of what happens during the rock cycle. Magma
rises to the surface, when it cools igneous rocks are formed. The rocks
are eroded either chemically or mechanically. The sediments are lithified
into sedimentary rocks. When they are put under extreme heat and pressure
the rocks become metamorphosed. If they are put under extreme heat and
pressure they change into magma again.
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