Sedimentary &
Metamorphic Rock Identification Lab 2010
Task:
Your group
will examine and attempt to classify 9 different rock samples through use of
the provided key and observations of their grain size, color, texture and any
other physical properties/features unique to that rock.
- Each of you will need to make a
rough draft in your notebook of the Lab write up where you: rewrite the question;
compose a hypothesis, list the materials used to classify the rocks and a
data table. Teacher approval of Rd is needed before moving to #2
- You will conduct the lab with
your table group. You may only
examine one rock sample at a time.
Observe and record the properties/features present in the
rock. Repeat the process with each sample.
- If your group came prepared you
should have time in class to
discuss the analysis questions and conclusion. Answer the analysis questions and complete the
conclusion for home work.
- The
final draft of the lab should be completed individually using the rubric. The lab write up is worth 200 points. For correctly
identifying the unknown 10th sample rock sample, I will award you 25 points.
Question: Which
physical attribute will be most commonly used for classifying rock samples? SEE list you used for the igneous rock lab
Hypothesis: Look at the attributes
we are using for classifying the rock samples; use, your notes and prior
experience at identifying rocks to hypothesize which attribute will help you to
identify the largest number of samples. This is not a
hypothesis, it is a hint.
Test: Rock samples will be classified by observing the following attributes: grain size, texture, color and any other physical properties. To determine the correct names for each rock sample rock identification keys, notes, and prior rock id experience will be used. The most useful attributes for classifying rocks may then be determined.
Materials: list everything you use to collect data
Procedures: Label this section on your final draft and write procedures and diagrams are needed for this lab, but list and briefly describe the methods of identification you are using and include diagrams
Data Table:
Create a data table with rows for
each rock sample. Label the columns with
sample #, the rock’s name, color, grain size, texture, other observable physical
properties, and the feature that was most important to identifying the rock Be sure to include drawings and description
of each of the rock samples as part of you observation journal.
Graph:
make a bar graph that illustrates
which attribute was used the most when identifying the rock samples.
Analysis Questions: 1) Were there any samples that you
found difficult to classify?
Explain. 2) Which attributes were
least useful for classification? 3) Classify each type of sedimentary rock into its
sub-group and explain what allowed you to determine the sub group. 4) Same as question #3 for metamorphic rock 5) Give two reasons we are studying
rocks?
Conclusion: Use the RUBRIC
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DISTINGUISHED
(5)
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SATISFACTORY (4)
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BORDERLINE (3)
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RE-DO (2)
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(0)
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TITLE
MARGIN
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Contains
title, name, date, teacher, period and course
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Missing one
except title or name
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Missing two
except title or name
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Missing more
than two, title or no name
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ORDER
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In logical
order: Question, Hypothesis, Test,
Materials, Procedure, Data, Analysis & Conclusion
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One category
out of order
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Two categories out of order
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More than two
categories out of order
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CLARITY
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Lab report
sections clearly labeled and separated.
Grammatically correct.
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Sections
clearly labeled but not separated.
Most grammar correct
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Sections
labeled but not separate. Frequent
errors in grammar
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Sections not
labeled nor separated. Poor grammar
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QUESTION,
HYPOTHESIS
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Clear
explanation of purpose. Variable(s) clearly identified in hypothesis
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Gives a
correct purpose with some framework.
Variables are identified
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Declares a
purpose that is correct.
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Purpose is
incorrect
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Carefully
ruled tables are accurate labeled and complete
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Ruled tables
are accurate labeled and complete
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Hastily ruled
tables are accurate labeled and complete
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Tables are
not ruled or unlabeled or incomplete
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GRAPHS
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Graphs are
correct according to all good graphing rules
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Graphs
correct but misses no more than 1 label
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Graphs
correct but misses no more than 2 labels
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Graph is
un-readable/wrong type/untitled
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QUESTIONS
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All questions
are answered correctly. And all
questions are written out or obvious in the answer.
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80% or more
of the questions are answered correctly.
And all questions are written out or obvious in the answer.
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No less than
70% of the questions are answered correctly.
And all questions are written out or obvious in the answer.
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Less than 70%
of the questions are answered correctly.
OR only writing answers
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HYPOTHESIS
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Restates the
hypothesis, supports or refutes it and explains the role of the experiment in
doing this
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Restates the
hypothesis and supports or refutes it
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Supports or
refutes the hypothesis without restating it
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Does not
address the hypothesis
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EVIDENCE
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Uses data powerfully
as evidence to support statements
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Uses data to
support statements
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Refers to
data as support
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Does not use
data to support arguments
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LOGIC
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Conclusion
logically follows from data and prior knowledge
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Conclusion is
logical but not well defended
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Conclusion is
logical but not defended
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Conclusion is not logical
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ERROR
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Identifies
sources or error and explains the effect on results
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Identifies
sources of error
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Suggests
possibility of error
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Does not address error
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CONTEXT
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A next step
is included that will further understanding of the original experiment and
societal scientific implications
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A next step
is included that will further understanding of the original experiment
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A next step
is mentioned, but its purpose is unclear
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A next step
is mentioned
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Igneous, Sedimentary &
Metamorphic Rock Identification Lab KEY
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Color
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Grain
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Texture
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Other Observations
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Rock Name
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Dark
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Coarse
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Weakly
foliated
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Cleavage
shows parallel plate like mineral crystals
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Amphibolite
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Black
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Super fine
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Non-foliated
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Shiny
conchoidal fractures
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Anthracitic coal
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Varies
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Coarse
>2mm
pebbles
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Fragments in
sandstone
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Angular
fragments
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Breccia
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Black-brown
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Non porous
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Sooty
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Commonly
spotted with yellow sulfur compounds
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Bituminous coal
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White-grey
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Too small to
be seen
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Powdery
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Shell
fragments
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Chalk
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Varies
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Too small to
be seen
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Glassy
conchoidal cleavage
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Quartz, SiO2
from the shells of marine single celled organisms
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Chert
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Varies
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Coarse
>2mm
pebbles
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Abraded-rounded
pebbles in sandstone
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Looks like
broken concrete
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Conglomerate
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Varies
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Very porous
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Shell
fragments
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Slightly
cemented in calcite
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Coquina
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Varies
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Fine –very
fine
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Gritty-sandpapper
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Sugary
appearance
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Dolostone
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Varies
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Fine
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Rough with
fossil fragments
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Fossils
cemented and appear floating n limestone
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Fossiliferous limestone
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Varies
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Coarse
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Foliated
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Bands of
feldspar, quartz and olivine
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Gneiss
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Varies
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Too small to
see
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Glassy
conchoidal cleavage
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Transparent
and slick
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Gypsum
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Dark
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Very fine
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Non-foliated
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Looks like
basalt
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Hornfels
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Varies
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Fine to
coarse
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Non-foliated
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Sugary sparkles
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Marble
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Brown
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Very porous
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Fibrous
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Plant
material
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Peat
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Varies
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Fine
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Foliated
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Layers with
mica impart sheen/luster
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Phyllite
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Varies
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Medium to
coarse
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Rough like
sandpaper
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Quartz grains
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Quartz Sandstone
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Varies
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Coarse
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Foliated
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Poor cleavage
leaves crinkly appearance
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Schist
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Varies
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Very fine
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Slightly
gritty
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Slick when
wet, breaks into sheets
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Shale
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Varies
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Very fine
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Foliated
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Common to
have cleavage through cross bedding,
slight sheen; looks like mud
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Slate
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