Experiments can imitate natural weathering and breaking processes.
Geology helps students to understand the physical composition of the earth, and can offer a number of exciting and fun experiments for students of all ages. Many students may be quick to argue that a person cannot break a rock without a hammer, but there are a number of easy experiments involving temperature and rock fragmentation that can provide opportunities for discussion of a variety of geological processes.
Cracking Ice
This experiment is designed for very young students and can be safely done at home without additional equipment. Have students fill glasses with water of different temperatures, ranging from cool to boiling. Then have students place an ice cube in each one. As the student places the ice cube in, listen for a cracking noise and watch the ice. The warmer the temperature of the water, the sooner and louder the ice cube will crack. This is a great opportunity to talk about how rising ocean temperatures cause glaciers in the Arctic to crack.
Breaking Rocks with Ice
This experiment illustrates how rocks can break with dramatic temperature changes because of the absorptive nature of many rocks. Have students choose a wide selection of rocks and minerals, including pumice and limestone (or chalk). Place one piece of each rock in a separate jar, and fill that jar with enough water to just cover the surface of the rock. Place the jar in the freezer for 24 hours, then remove the jar and let it thaw and melt. Repeat this process for a week. Then have the students remove the rocks from the jars, observing which have cracked and broken, and which have broken into large pieces versus which have lost fragments or dust. This experiment can help students to better understand rocks in tundra zones.
Weathering with Temperature
This experiment can be used to teach students about the realities of acid rain and the detrimental effects acid can cause. Choose a rock with a large amount of calcium carbonate, such as limestone or even chalk. Fill a jar with vinegar at room temperature and place the limestone in the vinegar, observing the reaction every 10 minutes for two hours. Repeat this experiment with a frozen piece of rock, as well as with rocks that have been heated in an oven to roughly 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Observe the different effects on each temperature rock, and encourage students to draw conclusions about the impact acid rain may have in different parts of the world.
Fire-Setting
For older students, create an experiment that tests the ancient method of mining rocks called "fire-setting." Students will test to see which kinds of rocks work best for fire-setting, which will allow advanced students to connect archaeological findings to their evidence in their conclusions. Using a wide variety of rocks, heat each in an oven to a consistent broiling temperature (do not heat rocks in direct flame). Have students pour a measured amount of cold water (preferably just above freezing) onto the rocks rapidly and observe which rocks crack and split. Variations on this project include changing the temperatures of the water and rocks, as well as changing ambient air temperature.
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