NAME: _______________________________
/15
Period: ______
INTRODUCTION: Mechanical weathering is the physical breakdown of rocks through processes such as wind and water
abrasion, freezing/thawing, animal actions, plant growth and pressure release. In this lab you will model some of these types of
mechanical weathering. It is your goal to make good observations so you can determine what type of mechanical weathering is
occurring in each mini-lab. Use the Mechanical Weathering Lab Procedures and record your data/observations on this
worksheet. Work in groups of 2-3.
PART 1: Sugar Cube Shakedown
1. Use the table below to record the shape of an average sugar cube and an average piece of gravel both before and after
shaking:
Sugar Cube
Gravel
Sugar Cube
Gravel
(BEFORE shaking)
(BEFORE shaking)
(AFTER shaking)
(AFTER shaking)
2. Think about how the two different particles (sugar cubes and gravel) weathered each other. DESCRIBE a situation or
example on earth where the same type of weathering could actually happen. (1-2 sentences)
3. What specific type of mechanical weathering was this mini-lab demonstrating? EXPLAIN your reasoning. (1-2 sentences)
PART 2: Sandpaper vs. Rocks
4. Use the table below to describe the shape and texture (feel) of the rocks and sandpaper before and after rubbing:
Rocks
Sandpaper
Rocks
Sandpaper
(BEFORE rubbing)
(BEFORE rubbing)
(AFTER rubbing)
(AFTER rubbing)
5. Think about how the sandpaper weathered away the rocks. DESCRIBE a situation or example on earth where the same
type of weathering could actually happen. (1-2 sentences)
6. What specific type of mechanical weathering was this mini-lab demonstrating? EXPLAIN your reasoning. (1-2 sentences)
PART 3: Growing Water
7. Water expands when frozen. Look at the cup of water and predict how many lines the water will increase when frozen.
EXPLAIN why your predicted what you did. (1-2 sentences)
8. Check your prediction by looking at the cup located under the paper bag. How close was your prediction? Does the
amount the water level increased when frozen surprise you? Why or why not? (1-2 sentences)
9. Think about how much the water expanded when frozen. DESCRIBE a situation or example on earth where the same
type of weathering could actually happen. (1-2 sentences)
10. What specific type of mechanical weathering was this mini-lab demonstrating? EXPLAIN your reasoning. (1-2 sentences)
PART 4: Rocks vs. Sand
11. Examine the contents of your shaken bottle: Write down two DETAILED observations on the contents of your shaken
bottle:
a.
b.
12. Think about how the sand weathered the gravel. DESCRIBE a situation or example on earth where the same type of
weathering could actually happen. (1-2 sentences)
13. What specific type of mechanical weathering was this mini-lab demonstrating? EXPLAIN your reasoning. (1-2 sentences)