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COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF METALLURICAL, CERAMICS & MINING
ENGINEERING
Laboratory Report
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Geology is the study of the Earth, and this doesnt include only the surface of the Earth but
ultimately, it is the study of rocks. Rocks are defined as a natural aggregate of minerals,
mineraloids or rock fragments. Rocks are classified according to how they formed. Rock
formation cannot be seen through the naked eye since it is a lengthy process which can take
centuries. Thats why, we rely on rocks observable clues to infer their formations. Two clues
Composition refers to what comprises the rock. One property that provides us with a clue
to a rocks composition is its color. Fragments of other rocks, fossils, and identifiable mineral
grains are also aspects of composition. Texture is a description of the rock material. It includes
characteristics such as crystal size and shape, number of different grain sizes, and alignment of
grains.
These are the three major groups of rocks. All rocks are classified in one of these categories.
Igneous rocks form when magma is cooled and crystallized either at the Earth's surface or
within its crust. Sedimentary rocks form when some eroded particles of other rocks are
deposited on different coastal areas (on the ocean floor, stream/lake beds) and are compacted
or by the precipitation of minerals or mineraloids from water. Metamorphic rocks are formed
when existing rocks have undergone pressure and / or temperature changes so that their original
Each of these rock groups contains many different types of rock, and each can be identified
from its physical features. Being able to describe and name rocks is one of the fundamental
through concise, accurate descriptions. This information allows the geologist to identify the
rock, and, in the process, to learn about its history and the geological environment in which it
was formed.
A knowledge of field relationships between different rock units is fundamental to the study
of rocks. It is gained from mapping and observing rocks in the field. In depth analysis of rocks
information on their composition. In between these extremes is the observation and description
of hand specimens. The term hand specimen refers to an easily manageable piece of rock that
can be picked up and easily transported back to the geologist's base for further investigation.
II. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
properties to identify rocks. One of the importance of this activity is it allows students
observe the various physical properties of common rock forming minerals. Second, is it lets
that different minerals make up rocks using the rock identification key.
specific techniques in the laboratory is one of the importance and goals of this subject since
writing. Petrographic descriptions also summarize these characteristics for future reference.
They should contain sufficient information to allow the identification of the rock.
pattern detailing the necessary information in a set order. Geologists need to be able to
determine the physical properties of rocks based on observations and simple tests that can be
Before you start, you'll need a rock sample in your hands. To begin using the rock
identification key:
3. To test the rocks reaction to acid, pour HCl (dropwise or as many as needed) to the rock
sample. The rock sample will either fizz or will not react to the diluted hydrochloric acid
solution.
4. Record the results and with the use of the rock identification key, identify the rock and
also, know its parent rock, texture, sediments and other observtions.
The different properties identified using the different apparatus the given instructions
provided help students identify the rock sample. As mentioned in the procedure above, the
collector needs to be careful about depending too much on any one or two properties. Finally,
while the rock identification key should help the collector correctly identify many rocks, it
wont work all the time. This activity serves as a conclusion to the rocks and minerals, because
they are using skills and resources they have learned, to identify the different rocks and
minerals. This will also help prepare the students for the next laboratory activities.
Rocks are seen and found in uncommon forms. Rock origins of most rocks cannot be
observed because they form at the depth within the earth or in the past before people existed.
To explain their origin, we draw analogies that we can observe. Now, we have knowledge to
identify and cause measure about such field. We are now, able to identify different types of
rocks whether sedimentary, metamorphic or igneous and different types of mass movement
activities, its cause and nature. There is always the chance that a collector will find something
that isnt even covered by rock identification key. The trick is to do your best at each stage of
the discovery process. Finally, this laboratory report helped us obtain results as cited in the
https://earth2class.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Conclusion-to-Rocks-
and-Minerals-pdf.pdf
http://malekhureport.blogspot.com/p/conclusion.html
http://educationsupport.co.za/product/intro-to-general-rock-types-and-their-
identification-coming/