The Rock Cycle Simulation: Crayon Lab Parts II and III

Picture one shows a sample of what our "sedimentary" and "metamorphic" rocks look like.  

Notice the sedimentary rocks, formed by W.E.D.C.C. (weathering, erosion, deposition, compaction, and cementation) have the following characteristics:

1. Thick Layers
2. Loosely Compacted
3. Distinct Particles
4. Dull Surface

Whereas the metamorphic rocks (formed by heat and pressure) have these characteristics:

1. Thin Layers
2. Tightly Compacted
3. Blurred Particles
4. Shiny Surface

• Parts II and III of our rock cycle lab simulated the processes by which metamorphic and igneous rocks are formed.  
  

The second picture here shows part II (the process by which metamorphic rocks are formed), during which we used our hot plate to subject our "rocks" to heat.  We used a vice grip then to add pressure (simulating the process by which rocks undergo pressure inside Earth's surface).  

Part III of our lab simulated the process by which igneous rocks are formed (melting and cooling).  

• First of all, we heated water to use as our "cooling" device.  
  

We had four beakers, marked with the following tags:

1. Very quickly cooling=ice cubes
2. Quickly cooling=ice water
3. Slowly cooling=warm water
4. Very slowly cooling=hot water
   

• Intrusive igneous rocks (formed deep within the surface of the Earth) were simulated by the "molten material" that was cooled over warm and hot water.  
  
• Extrusive igneous rocks (formed on or near Earth's surface) were simulated by the "molten material" that was cooled over ice water and ice cubes.