Rock Identification

Igneous Rocks
Work through the activities in either of the following links before you attempt the exercises
below.
http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/investigations/es0603/es0603page01.cfm
Or
http://www.open2.net/geologytoolkit/rockanalyser.swf

Examine the digital samples of igneous rocks by clicking on the name of each rock. Use your
observations to complete the table below:
Rock sample Colour - Crystal size - large, Cooling rate - slow, Intrusive or extrusive
light or dark small or invisible fast or very fast
Andesite

Basalt

Diabase

Diorite

Dolerite

Gabbro

Granite

Obsidian

Rhyolite

Scoria

© State of New South Wales through the

NSW Department of Education and Training, 2007.
http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/index.htm

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 Rock Identification

Metamorphic Rocks
Work through the activities in either of the following links before you attempt the exercises
below.
http://www.childrensmuseum.org/geomysteries/faq1.html

Or

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/chemistry/changestoearthandatmosphere/0rocksrev4.shtml

In this activity you will compare the original rocks with their altered (metamorphic) form.

Compare each pair of rocks listed below and note similarities and differences between each
pair.
Original Rock Metamorphic Rock Similarities Differences

Sandstone
Quartzite
(sedimentary)

Shale
Slate
(sedimentary)

Limestone
Marble
(sedimentary)

Granite (igneous)
Gneiss

© State of New South Wales through the

NSW Department of Education and Training, 2007.
http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/index.htm

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 Rock Identification
Sedimentary Rocks
Read the information about the different classes of rocks by clicking on the class of each rock.
Use your understanding to complete the table below.

Click on each numbered sample and use the information provided in the table to identify each
sample.

Rock 1 Rock 2 Rock 3 Rock 4 Rock 5

Rock 6 Rock 7 Rock 8 Rock 9 Rock 10

Class of rock Features Name Sample

Number
Clastic Made up of rounded Conglomerate
pebbles in a silt and clay
matrix
Made up of sharp Breccia
fragments of pebble size in
a silt and clay matrix
Made up of compacted and Sandstone
cemented sand in layers
Made of compacted and Siltstone
cemented silt
Made of compacted and Shale
cemented silt and clay in
layers
Chemical Grey rock made of Limestone
microscopic crystals
White rock made up of Rock salt
cube-shaped crystals
Organic Black shiny rock that can Coal
burn
White rock made of coral Shelly limestone
skeletons or shells of sea
animals
White powdery rock made Chalk
of microscopic animal
shells

© State of New South Wales through the

NSW Department of Education and Training, 2007.
http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/index.htm

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 Rock Identification
Syllabus Links
SCIENCE Years 7-10 syllabus

Outcome 4.9: A student describes the dynamic structure of Earth and its relationship to
other parts of our Solar System and the Universe.

Students learn about: Students learn to:

4.9.6 the lithosphere identify that rocks are composed of minerals
b) explain the breaking down of rocks in terms of
physical and chemical changes
c) relate the formation of landforms to weathering,
erosion and deposition
d) describe the origins of sedimentary, igneous and
metamorphic rocks.
Outcome 4.11: A student identifies where resources are found, and describes ways in which
they are used by humans

Students learn about: Students learn to:

4.11 natural resources
a) distinguish between natural and made resources
b) give examples of resources from living things
and resources extracted from the air, Earth and
oceans
c) identify fossil fuels and describe some of their
uses

© State of New South Wales through the

NSW Department of Education and Training, 2007.
http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/index.htm