Rocks, Soils, and Fossils 3rd grade

Front

What is clay?

Back

Clay is a type of soil that is very fine and sticky when wet. It does not drain water well.

Front

Why is drainage important for planting flowers?

Back

Good drainage helps prevent water from pooling around the roots, which can cause plants to rot.

Front

What must happen for a fossil to form?

Back

The remains of a dead organism must be buried by layers of soil and rock.

Front

What is a fossil?

Back

A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of a once-living organism.

Front

What is the first step in fossil formation?

Back

The first step is that an organism must die.

Front

What happens to the bones of an organism over time to become a fossil?

Back

Minerals in the water slowly replace the bone, turning it into a rock-like structure.

Front

What is the hardness scale for rocks?

Back

The hardness scale, known as Mohs scale, ranks minerals from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest).

Front

What characteristics can help identify a rock?

Back

Color, texture, shape, and hardness are key characteristics used to identify rocks.

Front

What can fossils tell us about the past?

Back

Fossils can provide information about what organisms lived in the past and their environments.

Front

What is the difference between soil and rock?

Back

Soil is made up of tiny particles and organic matter, while rock is a solid mass of minerals.