COURSE SYLLABUS IN TEACHING SCIENCE IN ELEMENTARY GRADES

(PHYSICS, EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCES)

CHAPTER 2: EARTH SCIENCE
LESSON 1: ROCKS AND ROCK CYCLE

ROCKS AND GEOLOGY

Rock, in geology, naturally occurring and coherent aggregate of one or more
minerals. Such aggregates constitute the basic unit of which the solid Earth is
composed and typically form recognizable and mappable volumes.

Rocks are the foundation of the earth. Rock provides the firmament beneath our
oceans and seas and it covers 28% of the earth's surface that we all call home.

ROCK TYPES
Rocks are commonly divided into three major classes according to the processes that
resulted in their formation.

A. IGNEOUS ROCKS
-Igneous rocks are “fire-born,” meaning that they are formed from the cooling and
solidification of molten (melted) rock.
-The word igneous derives from ignis, the Latin word for “fire.” Molten rock
material is known as magma until it is erupted onto the surface when it then is
termed lava.
- Igneous rocks are those that solidify from magma, a molten mixture of rock-
forming minerals and usually volatiles such as gases and steam. Since
their constituent minerals are crystallized from molten material, igneous rocks are
formed at high temperatures.

Igneous rocks are subdivided into two categories:

a. Intrusive (emplaced in the crust) - These rocks are also known as plutonic
rocks—named for Pluto, the Roman god of the underworld. Intrusive igneous
rocks are generally wholly crystalline and characterized by large crystal sizes
visible to the naked eye because they cool slowly.

COURSE SYLLABUS IN TEACHING SCIENCE IN ELEMENTARY GRADES

(PHYSICS, EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCES)
 b. Extrusive (extruded onto the surface of the land or ocean bottom), in which case
the cooling molten material is called lava. Extrusive igneous rocks are also
termed volcanic rocks—named for Vulcan, the Roman god of fire. Volcanic rocks
have generally smaller crystal size and usually have a very-fine-grained or glassy
groundmass that formed due to rapid cooling at the time of eruption.

Uses and Benefits of Igneous Rocks

Igneous rocks are commonly used in flooring, landscaping, and construction
purposes. However, its uses are specific to its types. Some specific importance
apart from the general ones is given below:
Granite
Construction of buildings and statues
Building kitchen countertops

Basalt
Rich source of iron
Commonly used as an ingredient of concrete

Pumice
Abrasive – removing dead skin from the bottom of feet
Making of lightweight materials such as toothpaste and cosmetic products

Gabbro
Polishing surfaces
The raw material of gold and silver

B. SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
Sedimentary rocks are those that are deposited and lithified (compacted and
cemented together) at the Earth’s surface, with the assistance of
running water, wind, ice, or living organisms. Most are deposited from the land
surface to the bottoms of lakes, rivers, and oceans. Sedimentary rocks are generally
stratified—i.e., they have layering. Layers may be distinguished by differences in
colour, particle size, type of cement, or internal arrangement.

COURSE SYLLABUS IN TEACHING SCIENCE IN ELEMENTARY GRADES

(PHYSICS, EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCES)
 What are the Uses of Sedimentary Rock and Why are they Important

Sedimentary rocks contain information about the history of the Earth. They contain
fossils, the remains of ancient plants and animals, that provide clues of ancient
rock. Differences between the successive layers indicate changes to the
environment that occurred over time.

Sedimentary rocks form porous and permeable reservoirs in sedimentary basins

where water and essential minerals such as oil can be found.
Materials that we use every day, such as jewelry and ceramics, are made from
sedimentary rocks. They are also used in building materials.

Sedimentary rocks are classified into three groups:

a. Clastic Sedimentary Rocks

Clastic sedimentary rocks are made up of pieces (clasts) of pre-existing rocks
loosened by weathering. These rocks have particles ranging in size from
microscopic clay to huge boulders; their names are determined by the clast
or grain size. The smallest grains are called clay.

b. Biologic Sedimentary Rocks

Biologic sedimentary rocks form when living organisms die, pile up, and are
then compressed and cemented together. Types of biologic sedimentary rock
include coal (accumulated plant material that is carbon-rich), or limestone
and coquina (rocks made of marine organisms).

c. Chemical Sedimentary Rocks

Chemical sedimentary rocks form by chemical precipitation that begins
when water traveling through rock dissolves some of the minerals. These
minerals are carried away from their source and eventually redeposited, or
precipitated, when the water evaporates away.

COURSE SYLLABUS IN TEACHING SCIENCE IN ELEMENTARY GRADES

(PHYSICS, EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCES)
 C. METAMORPHIC ROCKS
Metamorphic rocks are those formed by changes in preexisting rocks under the
influence of high temperature, pressure, and chemically active solutions. The
changes can be chemical (compositional) and physical (textural) in character.
Metamorphic rocks are often formed by processes deep within the Earth that
produce new minerals, textures, and crystal structures.

Uses of Metamorphic Rocks

Quartzite and marble are used for making buildings and artworks. Quartzite is also
used in building railroad tracks.
Schist and slate are sometimes used in landscape materials. Schist is also used in
garden decoration, paving, and sometimes in sculpture making. Slate is good roofing
material. It is used for decorative gardening stones, as a base for snooker tables, and as
a writing board in the Victorian classroom.
Gneiss is used to make countertops, headstones, and walls and floors in commercial
buildings.

COURSE SYLLABUS IN TEACHING SCIENCE IN ELEMENTARY GRADES

(PHYSICS, EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCES)
 ROCK CYCLE

The rock cycle is a basic concept in geology that describes transitions through
geologic time among the three main rock types: sedimentary, metamorphic, and
igneous. Each rock type is altered when it is forced out of its equilibrium conditions.

THE CYCLE PROCESS

1. The rock cycle begins with molten rock. Molten Rock is called magma
when it is below ground, and lava when it is above ground. When magma
cools and hardens, it forms igneous rock. This process is called cooling or
solidification or crystallization.

2. Weathering and Erosion, break the original rock into smaller pieces. The
smaller material is called Sediment and is carried away (transported) by
rivers, wind, and glaciers and deposited elsewhere. These sediments can then
be buried and hardened (called compaction and cementation) forming
sedimentary rock. This process called lithification.

3. Sedimentary rock can be deeply buried and be exposed to heat and pressure,
which over time, cause it to change its structure into Metamorphic rock.
This process called Metamorphism, which means change.

4. Eventually, these metamorphic rocks may be heated to the point where they
again melt into magma and the process or cycle starts again.

COURSE SYLLABUS IN TEACHING SCIENCE IN ELEMENTARY GRADES

(PHYSICS, EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCES)