Activity No.

4
The Rock Cycle

Name:_______________________________________________ Score: _______ Date:_______

The Rock Cycle is a geological concept that illustrates how the three main types of rock -
sedimentary, metamorphic, & igneous - are related, by describing the conditions required to transform one
type into another.

Direction: Use the word bank below, and the rock cycle diagram from page 2, to fill in the blanks in the
following section on the three rock types and the rock cycle.

Sedimentary Rocks

When rocks and minerals are worn and broken down into small pieces by water, wind, or ice, the resulting
particles are called _________________________. The movement of these eroded particles to a new
location is called deposition, which often results in distinct _______________________ of sediments
building up in a particular area. Sedimentary rocks form near the _______________________ of the earth. It
can take a lot of ____________________, but eventually, if sediments become compacted by
______________________ from the weight of water or overtopping earth, they can solidify into rocks like
limestone, sandstone, and shale.

Metamorphic Rocks

When a rock becomes buried deep ________________ by natural geological processes, conditions can arise
that will _____________ the rock’s chemistry, and turn it into a completely different kind of rock. Over
much time, if enough ___________ and ______________________ build up around the old rock, it will
eventually transform into a new, metamorphic rock, like marble, quartzite, or slate.

Igneous Rocks

When rocks underground become exposed to the _____________________ heat resulting from geological
processes occurring in the earth’s interior, they can actually melt. Melted, or molten rock located below the
ground level is called _________________, but if melted rock becomes exposed on the earth’s surface
through volcanic activity it is called ______________. When magma is able to cool and solidify
underground, it forms _________________ igneous rocks, like granite. When lava cools above ground,
_______________________ igneous rocks, like basalt, obsidian, and pumice, are formed.
Guide Questions:

1. What are the components of the terrarium?

-Terrariums are miniature gardens, built inside a sealable containers like glass, jars and
bottles. This represents a full functional micro plant ecosystem. The terrarium composed of mainly
include a gravel, moss, soil, charcoal, plants and decorative items/materials.

2. Give the functions of each component in the terrarium that enable life to sustain on it.
∙Gravel- the gravel serves as a water drainage system in the terrarium. It drains away any
excess water in your terrarium soil layer. Too much water and there is a risk that the roots of your
terrarium plant might rot. Thus this layer is crucial.
∙Charcoal- it “toxins” from your terrarium that supposedly build up over time. It also helps
absorb any siting water and prevents odors and bacteria build-up
∙Moss- this particular layer serves as a barrier between the soil layer (3 rd layer) and the gravel
layer. In addition it absorbs any excess water from the soil layer.
∙Soil- it serves as the nutrient layer for the plants in the terrarium. The right fertilizer mix must
be achieved. And this is dependent on the type of plant you are using in your terrarium.
∙Plants- After establishing a firm foundation (the first 3 layers), you are free to plant in your
plants. But make sure they are firmly rooted to the soil layer. This is crucial as plants will still
continue to grow and there is a risk of them toppling if they are not firmly planted initially.
∙Decorative items- through the bulk of the function of the decorative layer is for the purpose
of aesthetics, there is actually a secondary function to it. It actually protects any exposed roots of
your plant by covering it up from direct sunlight and also acts as another supportive layer for your
plants.

3. How can you compare the terrarium to an Earth system?

-Terrarium and Earth are closed system. They are closed because matter, such as soil, gravel,
charcoal considered as the Geosphere, when you water the plants- the water inclined to Hydrosphere,
the plants as a Biosphere and when the water evaporated inside the glass and becomes moist which
means it is already inclined with the Atmosphere. Therefore, the terrarium and earth system is almost
they same because there is a solid part (Geosphere), there is life (Biosphere), there is water
(Hydrosphere), and there is water vapor (Atmosphere).

Figure Subsystem
1. Fish Biosphere
2. Plant Biosphere
3. Sand/Soil Geosphere
4. Water Hydrosphere
5. Moss Biosphere