What are the different layers of Earth called?

The top layer of Earth is called the crust, beneath that is the mantle, and the inner-most layer is the core.

How is Earth’s core different from the crust?

As you move from the crust to the core, the temperature rises to almost 5000°C at the core. The crust is solid, and the outer core is liquid.

Erosion refers to the natural processes that move solid materials from one place to another by wind, water, or other ways.

A compound is a molecule that is made up of atoms of one or more elements.

What properties of rocks could help us figure out what type of rock we are looking at?

All rocks have properties. You can observe a rock’s hardness, color, and appearance (stratified or not) to help determine what type of rock it is.

Describe two characteristics of Earth’s crust.

Earth’s crust makes up Earth’s surface. Ocean crust is more dense than continental crust. The crust is broken into large pieces called tectonic plates. Tectonic plates move slowly over millions of years and form distinct boundaries.

How are rocks and minerals different?

Minerals are solid, naturally formed substances that always have the same composition and the same properties. Rocks are made of minerals.

How do crystals form?

Hot water dissolves minerals. When the water evaporates, it leaves behind the dissolved minerals in a crystal structure.

Describe three ways rocks make our lives easier.

Gabbro is a type of rock used to make roads; granite is used in building materials; coal is used to generate electricity; and shale is used to make bricks.

What are the three categories of rocks?

Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic

How do igneous rocks form?

Igneous rocks form by liquid magma cooling as it gets closer to the surface of Earth. As the magma cools, it forms igneous rock that will break apart over thousands of years to form sediment.

How do metamorphic rocks form?

Rocks metamorphose, or change, when exposed to heat, pressure, or both heat and pressure.

Rocks & Minerals (Including Rock Cycle)

LESSON MATERIALS move

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What you will learn from this videoWhat you will learn

A mineral is a natural solid with a characteristic crystal shape.
Rocks are made of mineral pieces mixed together.
Rocks form, break down and move through the rock cycle.

Discussion Questions
- Before Video
  What are the different layers of Earth called? ANSWER
  - The top layer of Earth is called the crust, beneath that is the mantle, and the inner-most layer is the core.
  How is Earth’s core different from the crust? ANSWER
  - As you move from the crust to the core, the temperature rises to almost 5000°C at the core. The crust is solid, and the outer core is liquid.
  What is erosion? ANSWER
  - Erosion refers to the natural processes that move solid materials from one place to another by wind, water, or other ways.
  What is a compound? ANSWER
  - A compound is a molecule that is made up of atoms of one or more elements.
  What properties of rocks could help us figure out what type of rock we are looking at? ANSWER
  - All rocks have properties. You can observe a rock’s hardness, color, and appearance (stratified or not) to help determine what type of rock it is.
  Describe two characteristics of Earth’s crust. ANSWER
  - Earth’s crust makes up Earth’s surface. Ocean crust is more dense than continental crust. The crust is broken into large pieces called tectonic plates. Tectonic plates move slowly over millions of years and form distinct boundaries.
- After Video
  How are rocks and minerals different?ANSWER
  - Minerals are solid, naturally formed substances that always have the same composition and the same properties. Rocks are made of minerals.
  How do crystals form? ANSWER
  - Hot water dissolves minerals. When the water evaporates, it leaves behind the dissolved minerals in a crystal structure.
  Describe three ways rocks make our lives easier. ANSWER
  - Gabbro is a type of rock used to make roads; granite is used in building materials; coal is used to generate electricity; and shale is used to make bricks.
  What are the three categories of rocks? ANSWER
  - Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic
  How do igneous rocks form? ANSWER
  - Igneous rocks form by liquid magma cooling as it gets closer to the surface of Earth. As the magma cools, it forms igneous rock that will break apart over thousands of years to form sediment.
  How do metamorphic rocks form? ANSWER
  - Rocks metamorphose, or change, when exposed to heat, pressure, or both heat and pressure.
Vocabulary
- Mineral DEFINE
- Rock DEFINE
- Compound DEFINE
- Igneous rock DEFINE
- Sedimentary rock DEFINE
- Metamorphic rock DEFINE
- Magma DEFINE
- Strata DEFINE
- Rock cycle DEFINE
Reading Material
Lesson Plan
Teacher Guide
Assessment
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