Name: ______________________________________ Date: ________________________

Student Exploration: Rock Classification

Vocabulary: classify, extrusive igneous rock, foliation, fossil, igneous rock, intrusive igneous rock,
metamorphic rock, mineral, sedimentary rock, strata, texture

Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)

When you classify objects, you organize them into groups based on common characteristics.

1. What are some different ways you could classify these marbles?
The marbles can be classified by size, color, or pattern.

2. What characteristics do you think scientists use to classify rocks?

Scientists classify rocks based on texture, composition, and how the
rocks formed

Gizmo Warm-up
Rocks are classified by how they formed. The three types are:
 Igneous rocks form from cooling magma or lava.
 Sedimentary rocks form from the bonding of rock
fragments such as sand, silt, or clay; from organic materials;
and from chemicals dissolved in water.
 Metamorphic rocks form when other rocks are changed by
heat and pressure.

In the Rock Classification Gizmo, you will get to explore these three types of rocks. Think about how
each type of rock is formed.

1. Fossils are the remains of ancient plants and animals. Which type of rock do you think is most likely

to contain fossils? sedimentary

2. Foliation occurs when minerals are flattened by heat and pressure. This results in a layered or

banded texture. Which type of rock do you think is foliated? metamorphic

3. Air pockets can form in rapidly cooling magma or lava. In which type of rock would you expect air

pockets? igneous

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 Activity A: Get the Gizmo ready:

Classifying rocks  Click Reset.

Introduction: You can classify rocks by examining characteristics such as texture. A rock’s texture is
determined by the sizes, shapes, and positions of the grains that make up the rock.

Goal: Classify rocks as igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic.

1. Summarize: The three groups of rocks each have unique characteristics. For example, many igneous
rocks have a texture of interlocking mineral crystals. Sedimentary rocks may have distinct layers of
sediments, known as strata.

To learn other characteristics of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks, turn on Show
common characteristics in the CHARACTERISTICS pane. In the table below, summarize the textures
that will allow you to identify and classify these rock types.

Rock type Characteristics

Interlocking texture of grains. May display two different grain sizes. Usually
Igneous dark-colored and dense. Some have vesicles (holes). Composed of crystals.

Grains cemented together. May show presence of fossils. Usually lightcolored

Sedimentary and low density. Often show layers or bands.

Interlocking texture of large grains. Often show foliation (layering). Sometimes

Metamorphic show bands of light and dark colors.

2. Classify: Select Name on the SIMULATION pane. Move your cursor over the rock pictures. Based on
what you see, classify the rocks by dragging them into the correct box on the CHARACTERISTICS tab.
Record your classifications (in pencil) in the table below.

Rock type Rock names

basalt, gabbro, granite, pumice
Igneous

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 conglomerate, limestone, sandstone, siltstone
Sedimentary

gneiss, marble, schist, slate

Metamorphic

Click on Status to check your answers. If necessary, change your classifications of rocks on the
Gizmo, and make any needed corrections to the table above. When you are done, click tools and
take a screen shot ( ). Right-click the image, and click Copy Image, and paste the image into a
blank document.

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 Activity B: Get the Gizmo ready:
 Click Reset.
Rock locations  Select the LOCATION tab.

Introduction: Igneous rocks that form under Earth’s surface are called intrusive. Intrusive igneous rocks
usually have large mineral grains because they form from magma that cools slowly. Igneous rocks that
form above ground are extrusive. Extrusive igneous rocks have small mineral grains or no grains at all
because they form from lava that cools quickly.

Question: Where do different kinds of rocks form?

1. Label: Review how the different

types of rock form. On the diagram
at right, label where you would
expect the following types of rock
to form:
 extrusive igneous rocks
 intrusive igneous rocks
 metamorphic rocks
 sedimentary rocks

Select Show classification names

to check your labels. Correct any
rock locations that you labeled
incorrectly.

2. Classify: Drag the rocks from the SIMULATION pane to the correct positions on the LOCATION tab.
Click on Status to check your placements. When you are done, click tools and take a screen shot (
). Right-click the image, and click Copy Image. Then paste the image into your blank document.

Which rocks did you classify as extrusive and intrusive igneous rocks?

Extrusive: pumice Intrusive: gabbro

basalt granite

3. Analyze: What features did you use to classify igneous rocks as extrusive or intrusive?

I used mineral crystal size and the presence or absence of air holes

Draw conclusions: Extrusive igneous rocks often have air pockets, but intrusive igneous rocks never do.
Why do you think is this the case?

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The pressure under Earth’s surface is great enough that it would crush any forming air holes. The gases
in magma remain dissolved under high pressure.

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