MSED 252 wks1.21

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...

In class this week we were given the task to grow our own crystals. By conducting personal research I was able to gain a better understanding of the changes occurring as the crystals formed. It begins by creating a supersaturated solution; this is done by continually adding salt to water until no more salt can be dissolved. Once the water evaporates crystals are left behind. The formation of the crystal happens because once the water evaporates the molecules in the salt interlock, fitting together like puzzle pieces. They eventually form a lattice structure creating a crystal nucleus, as more salt molecules bond to this nucleus it expands and crystals begin to form.  Materials: Construction Paper Water Salt Container and Spoon  Tray or Plate Egg Shape  Experiment:  I began by heating the water and adding large amounts of salt. Once the salt stopped dissolving I poured the solution onto the egg shaped cut out. After about five hours the water started to  eva...