Earth Science: Rocks, Minerals, and Changes to Earths Surface [Grade 5, Unit 1] Name:___________

Rocks - a solid object that forms naturally. Rocks are Mineral - a solid object that forms naturally. Minerals
made up of one or more minerals. have a crystal structure and are the building blocks of
rocks
Igneous Rock How do geologists identify minerals?
Formed by Luster - how does it reflect light? (shiny,
cooling magma dull, glassy, waxy, earthy)
below or above Streak Color - what is the color on the
earths surface inside? Use a streak plate.
Crystal Shape - cubic, etc.
Color - what color is the mineral? Quartz

We
Ex: granite

Me
comes in many colors

ath
Hardness - can it be scratched by
re

ltin
erin
g

su
ltin

another mineral? (Mohs Scale 1 to 10)

res

g
ga
Me

dP

nd
an

Ero
Rock Cycle
at

sio
He

Heat and Sedimentary Weathering - the process of rocks breaking down into
Metamorphic Rock Pressure Rock smaller pieces, caused by tiny grains of sediment in
Formed under the water or wind pushing against a surface, also by ice
earths surface by Formed by small
freezing in rock cracks as well as plants growing into
changing the other sediment rock cracks
Weathering cementing
rock types with heat
and Erosion together in Erosion - the movement of sand or sediment by wind,
and pressure
layers, water, glaciers, and storms
Ex: marble underwater
Deposition - when erosion stops and sediment piles up,
like at the mouth of river