In 3V this afternoon we have been continuing our studies into the fascinating world of rocks. The children have had the opportunity to observe and handle some different kinds of rocks, and then carry out some tests to find out some of their particular properties.
Rocks are often classified according to their durability, so we tested a variety of rocks to find out how well they withstood abrasion with sandpaper. We talked about why it might be important for rocks to be able to withstand weathering from the wind and rain in the natural environment.
We also measured the density of the rocks. If a rock has a higher density, it will sink in a tank of water, whereas a rock with a lower density will actually float!
Finally, we tested the rocks for permeability. If a rock is permeable, water droplets will soak into its surface. If a rock is impermeable, then the water will not soak in and will just roll off the sides. Again, we talked about why it might be useful for a rock to be able to absorb liquid - and why it might not!
Like all good scientists, 3V were expected to keep a detailed record of their findings in a table. We will use the information from these tables in our next science lesson, to help us classify the rocks we tested and sort them into different groups.
No comments:
Post a Comment