Unit 5: Rocks & Minerals

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The study of rocks and minerals is part of a large branch of science called Geology. Geology is the study of the Earth, the materials of which it is made, the structure of those materials, and the processes acting upon them.

 

Broader context:

Minerals are the building blocks of rocks. That is, all rocks are made of minerals. Mineral properties are important in determining how we use them and also play a role in changes that take place to the rocks that are exposed to various agents of weathering in the environment (water, air, etc.). Those changes will be addressed in another unit.

 

Learning objectives:

1. Minerals

   - learn what minerals are and why they have the properties that they do

   - learn about diagnostic properties used for identifying minerals

   - be able to identify minerals based on their properties

   - utilize ESRT (pp. 1 and 16) to assist in answering questions about minerals

 

2. Rocks

   - the three rock types, igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic are differentiated by their method of formation and have properties that result from how they are formed.

   - become proficient in the use of pages 6 and 7 in the ESRT

   - identify rocks as being igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic and supporting the classification with observable evidence (characteristics of the rocks)

   - describe the method of formation for each rock type

   - the rock cycle is a model that can be used to show how rock types are interrelated, and how natural processes continually recycle rock material

 

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