Chemical and Mechanical Erosion of Rocks

Experimenting with concepts will always provide more insight and understanding than receiving a lecture. Students will gain knowledge of the rock cycle and erosion by applying kinetic energy to the samples. Additionally, the lab includes a demonstration with plaster, a balloon, and freezing water to introduce the concept of frost weathering. This is a great opportunity to investigate as a class and discuss real world concepts and resultant environmental effects.

 

Students will note the different effects of physical and chemical erosion. They will be engaged with this physically active lab as they feel and hear the weathering action taking place in each bottle. While gaining knowledge of erosive force, the concept of conservation of mass will be applied as lab participants account for mass of samples before and after experiments.