Unit 6 Rock Cycle

Unit 6: Earth’s Materials

6.5 (B) recognize that a limited number of the many known elements comprise the largest portion of solid Earth, living matter, oceans, and the
atmosphere

(10) Earth and space. The student understands the structure of Earth, the rock cycle, and plate tectonics. The student is expected to:

(A) build a model to illustrate the compositional and mechanical layers of Earth, including the inner core, outer core, mantle, crust, asthenosphere, and
lithosphere;

(B) classify rocks as metamorphic, igneous, or sedimentary by the processes of their formation;

6.10 (B) classify rocks as metamorphic,
igneous, or sedimentary by the processes of
their formation

What are rocks?

●Solid material that consists of one or more minerals or other substances

●Classified based on how they were formed, their color, texture, and mineral
composition

●Three main types of rocks: Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic

●What do we use rocks for?

○Building materials, chalk, cement, artwork, roofing, railroads, etc.

What is the rock cycle?

●Rock Cycle: the continual process by which rocks can be changed into different
types of rock

●It can take millions of years for rocks to change form

Sedimentary Rocks

●Sedimentary Rocks: a type of rock formed through the accumulation,
compaction, and cementation of sediment

○Sediment: small pieces of rocks or other living things; formed from weathering and erosion

■Weathering: process by which exposed rock is broken down by rain, ice, wind, or other
elements of weather

■Erosion: the movement of weathered material by wind, water, or ice

○Accumulation: the gradual gathering of sediments

○Compaction: process by which overlying pressure from rocks and soil reduces the size or volume
of sediments (pressing the sediments together)

○Cementation: process of binding and hardening sediments into hard rock (like glue)

○Examples: Limestone and Sandstone

Igneous Rock
●Igneous Rock: a type of rock formed when crystalized (hardened) through
melting and cooling

○Crystalized: to change into a solid form that is made up of crystals

○Magma: molten rock underground

○Lava: molten rock on Earth’s surface

●Examples: Granite, Basalt, and Obsidian

Metamorphic Rock

●Metamorphic Rock: a type of rock formed when igneous or sedimentary rocks
are put under intense heat and pressure in the Earth’s crust

●Examples: Marble, Gneiss, and Slate

​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r68iEwYdbh4&feature=youtu.be

Sources

The Science Duo

TEKS Resource System

https://chem.libretexts.org/Courses/Honolulu_Community_College/CHEM_100%3
A_Chemistry_and_Society/14%3A_Earth/14.01%3A_Spaceship_Earth-_Structure
_and_Composition