Making Sedimentary Rocks

Note: This is another extension of our geology unit. This lab comes shortly after the igneous rock lab and simulates how sedimentary rocks form. It is just a demonstration of the processes involved in the formation of sedimentary rocks, though it can be modified (different amounts of glue, dry vs. moist environments) to be a full fledged science experiment

Grade levels: 2-6

Demonstration:

Supplies: Styrofoam or paper cups, sand, popsicle sticks or disposable spoons

Step 1: Fill an 8 oz. cup about 1/3 full with sand
Step 2: Slowly add glue until the sand/glue mixture has a peanut butterish texture - not runny or too liquidy
Step 3: Use a wooden block or the bottom of another cup/glass to compact the sand glue mix as much as possible.
Step 4: Leave the cup in a dry area for approximately two weeks


Things to look out for:
1. Too much glue is the most common problem. It will take a much longer time to turn into a rock if too much glue is used.
2. Add more sand if things get too runny.
3. It usually takes about two weeks to harden, but sometimes longer
4. After the mixture hardens into a sandstone, you'll need to tear away the cup. Paper cups are the easiest to tear away.

Sand Shake Lab

Problem: How will increasing the motion of molecules affect the temperature of the a material?

Hypothesis:

Experiment:
Step 1: Fill a test tube with a small amount of sand
Step 2: Take temperature of the sand at room temperature
Step 3: Shake the test tube of sand vigorously for 5 minutes (you’ll get tired)
Step 4: Take the temperature of the sand directly after shaking



Independent Variable: Shaken or Unshaken state
Dependent Variable: Temperature of the sand

Results:

Start Celsius Temp	Finish Celsius Temp	Start Fahrenheit Temp	Finish Fahrenheit Temp

Conclusion:

Possible Errors/Things to look out for
1. Heat increases may be caused from conduction of the shakers hand. Consider wearing a glove when shaking to eliminate this possibility.
2. Everyone shakes at different rates and some people get tired after a few minutes. Work in partners and alternate shakers if this is a problem.
3. Make sure students know how to read a thermometer in Celsius and Fahrenheit.
4. Measure an exact amount or sand in each test tube.

Extensions
- Have students do the Celsius/Fahrenheit conversions on their own
- Crowdsource the results to get an average for the temperature increase
- Try different size test tubes and see if it makes a difference.