Science+Webquest

Rocks and Minerals:
Rocks are the building blocks of the Earth’s crust and occur in different forms. It can be in solid form or can occur as semisolid forms like sand and clay or even occur in molten state as in the case of magma which is found beneath Earth’s crust. They are divided into three categories namely igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic depending on the process behind its formation. This naturally occurring substance is made up of different types of minerals. Minerals are chemical substances and are found to have crystalline structure. There are thousands of minerals in the Earth of which the most common types are silicates, phosphates, oxides, sulphates and sulphides. In addition to these there are elements which appear in their pure forms like diamond, gold, silver, copper and graphite. Read further to learn more about the fascinating world of rocks and minerals.

Activities for WebQuest Rocks and Minerals:
Activity 1: Rocks 1.) What are rocks? 2.) What is the basic component of rocks?

Activity 2: Distinctive Features of Rocks 1.) What are the characteristics of rocks? 2.) What are the uses of rocks?

Activity 3: Minerals 1.) What is a mineral? 2.) What are different types of minerals 3.) What are native elements? 4.) What are the physical properties of minerals? 5.) What are chemical properties of minerals?

Activity 4: Types of rocks Here teachers can use two websites; the first one gives explanation for each type whereas the second one gives animated representation of the process behind the formation of each type. Browse through the second website to find the behavior of each type of rock in water. 1.) Name the types of rocks? 2.) What are the characteristics of each type of rocks? 3.) Give examples of each type of rocks? 4.) Does the rock float in water? 5.) How different types of rocks differ in the behavior in water? Activity 5: Difference between Minerals and Rocks 1.) What is the difference between minerals and rocks?

Activity 6: Rock cycle

1.) What is rock cycle? 2.) Explain rock cycle? 3.) What are the chemical processes involved in rock cycle?

Evaluation
Prepare a presentation summarizing the information you have gained from these websites. See Desert Environment and Geology. Choose one topic from collection of materials listed under rocks, gems and minerals and come up with an explanation on that topic. Alternatively teachers can use online evaluation using the website mineral matters. There are four different types of quizzes to check the understanding of students. In this WebQuest, rocks and minerals are studied to help students to generate a concise idea on rocks. At the same time, it can be used as an example of how web-based materials can be used in tutoring

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