MSED 252 wks1.21

This week I was able to further my understanding on relative dating. I am now able to look at layers of rock and determine which layer is the oldest. Relative dating gives geologists a rough estimate on when events in the past occurred. They do this by using principles developed by scientists such as Nicolaus Steno to determine the relationship between relative age and rocks. Listed below are the principals used to determine relative age. The Law of Superposition:  When observing un-deformed sedimentary rocks the oldest are on the bottom, and the youngest are on the top.  Principle of original horizontality:  Sedimentary rocks are nearly always horizontal when deposited. When they are not this is evidence of a shift in the earth's crust.  Principle of lateral continuity:  Sediments that are laterally continuous. As a result rocks that are similar are separated by a valley or other erosional features.  Principle of crosscutting relationships:  Features ...

This week my classmates and I took a deeper look into rock identification. To do this we were given a few different rocks and had to put them in different groups according to their characteristics. These groups were igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. Once we selected a rock to analyze we looked at it closely and tried our best to determine where it would go.  Igneous rock characteristics:  Crystal formation, fine or course grained dependent on rate of cooling, glassy, air pockets, light or dark in color, and are rich in iron and (or) magnesium. The photo below are the rocks I characterized as igneous.      Sedimentary rock characterizations:  Weathered due to environment, rounded, provide historic information, contain other minerals and solid particles, shale, sandstone, conglomerate, and often contain fossils. The photo below are the rocks I classified as sedimentary.    Metamorphic rock characterizations:  Form from pre-...

 This week my classmates and I were able to further our understanding on igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. After this activity I felt more comfortable in my ability to identify where different rocks fall in the rock cycle, along with what factors identify them.  Lab:   We were given about 40 rocks and minerals to identify as shown in the photo below. With each rock I was able to pick out key characteristics. For example igneous rocks have crystals of various different sizes. This is due to the rate at which the rock cooled. Sedimentary rocks can often be rounded due to weathering and erosion. Metamorphic rocks are often flat as a result of heat and pressure. By using this knowledge and other physical attributes I was able to fill out the chart below, and name some of the rocks provided.            

I started my journey underground inside a volcano as magma, and it was very hot in there! One day I heard a loud cracking noise and started to feel pressure push me all the way to the top. Before I knew it I was pushed out of my home (that was some eviction notice). Once I was out of the volcano I got very cold. I sure didn't want to take my time freezing my edges off like the other intrusive rocks; so I decided to go the extrusive route and cool faster. Then I began the solidification process. I couldn't believe my eyes, I was full of holes and formed into igneous rock. Here is my first selfie, I am rough around the edges but still cute right?  As I tumbled down the hill I began cooling even more, and even formed some crystals! Not many though. Next I was squished and compacted by other rocks, I even lithified with someone else! But don't worry we got to know each other first. Once we became one our look changed. We were flat and just a tad bit shiny, you can thank my crys...

For this activity my classmates and I used several tools to better identify different types of minerals. We were able to use the materials listed below to determine crystal form, luster, streak, hardness, and cleavage.  Materials: HCL Nail Penny Magnifying glass Glass plate  Granite plate Hardness chart Crystal form helped us determine what shape each individual crystal was inside the mineral. Luster allowed us to determine the appearance of the mineral reflected in light. An example of this would be metallic or nonmetallic. A streak was simply what color the mineral left behind when dragged across a surface. Hardness was determined by what could scratch the mineral. For example we would scratch the mineral with a nail, if it left a mark we would know the mineral was softer than the nail. Finally we tested for cleavage, to do this we had to try and figure out if a particular mineral would fracture when split or break evenly.  Photos of the minerals and materials used: Cha...

This activity allowed me to better understand the periodic table and the elements. For each level of the game I was able to build, deconstruct, and label different elements. Level One:  I was presented with an unlabeled element that showed only the amount of protons, neutrons, and electrons. Next I had to chose the element from the periodic table that best fit the diagram. The picture below is one example of the problems that were given.  Level Two: In this level I was given the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons. I then had to use this information to find the charge of the element. To do this I first looked at the number of protons and electrons. If the number of these two particles were different I had to figure out the charge that would make the element neutral. In order to make it neutral there has to be an equal amount of both protons and electrons. An example of this is shown in the photo below; to make the element neutral I had to add 3 protons which is represen...