Mystery Science: Birth of Rocks

What is root wedging?

• Seeds fall in cracks of rocks. The roots grow and break the rock apart.

• Tree roots wedge themselves into each other.

• Gardners cut roots to get them to grow better.

• Rocks fall in the roots of plants and break the plants apart.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

How does a solid rock naturally break into smaller pieces? Select the BEST answer.

• Seeds and water can enter cracks in rocks, roots grow, water freezes and expands, and the rock breaks apart.

• Animals crush the rock into little pieces when they walk and run.

• Rocks naturally break apart over time, even if nothing touches them.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Why might you find lava rocks so far away from the Ring of Fire? Select all that apply.

• The lava rocks could come from an active volcano that's not near the Ring of Fire.

• The lava rocks could come from an inactive volcano that doesn't erupt anymore.

• Not all volcanoes are on the Ring of Fire.

• The lava rocks were dropped from meteors in space.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Why might you find lava rocks so far away from the Ring of Fire? (Choose 2)

• Hotspot

• Someone placed the rocks there

• Because of erosion

• Rocks are from old volcanoes

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Is it possible for a volcano to erupt where you live (Oahu, Hawaii)? (Choose 2)

• Yes, because there are active volcanoes on Oahu

• Yes, because of the hotspot is under Hawaii Island

• No, because Oahu is away from the hotspot

• No, because there are no active volcanoes on Oahu

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

This kind of rock forms from lava eruptions.

• slate

• lava rocks

• obsidian

• basalt

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

Volcanoes with thick lava are more likely to explode because...

• air bubbles can't escape and the pressure builds until it blows up.

• earthquakes cause thick lava.

• air bubbles escape more easily and very little pressure builds up.

• they get much angrier than volcanoes with thin lava!

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

How can you figure out if a volcano makes felsite or basalt rocks?

• By checking the temperature of the place the volcano is in. Warm temperatures make BASALT rocks, while cold temperatures make FELSITE rocks.

• By looking at the shape of the volcano. Cone-shaped volcanoes make FELSITE rocks, while shield-shaped volcanoes make BASALT.

What are the type kinds of lava?

• thin and large

• small and thick

• thin and thick

What is the primary process by which rocks are broken down into smaller pieces in nature?

• A) Chemical weathering through acid rain

• B) Physical weathering through temperature changes

• C) Biological weathering through plant roots

• D) Erosion by wind and water