Name: Christen Davis Date: October 6, 2014
Simple Scientific Lab Report Write –up
Title: Weathering Virtual Lab
Purpose: To explore the effects of the two different kinds of weathering, which are mechanical and chemical
Hypothesis: If I run investigate different effects, then I will be able to correctly identify what type of weathering it is that I am observing.
Materials used: virtual lab with four different scenes that exhibit either mechanical or chemical weathering
Results:
Scene Number Before Weathering Weathering Effect After Weathering
Scene 1 Limestone with small cave beneath a layer of sandstone Water Weak acid solution of groundwater and rainwater has dissolved more of the limestone causing the cave to grow larger and…show more content… these conditions have also caused cracks in the carving
Scene 2 face carved into a snowcapped mountain above a river water weak acid solution of rainwater and groundwater has dissolved some of the facial features on the carving
Scene 3 pine trees grow on snow-covered, rocky hillsides vegetation trees and roots have grown, which have caused fractures in the rocks
Scene 3 pine trees grow on snow-covered, rocky hillsides freeze/thaw Constant freezing and thawing temperatures in this climate have caused water to freeze and expand, forcing large crack in the rocks. this is called ice wedging
Scene 4 a small tree is planted near a house and sidewalk. a bright, shiny, new bicycle is outside vegetation the tree and its roots have grown, the tree roots have caused cracks in the house and sidewalk
Scene 4 a small tree is planted near a house and sidewalk. a bright, shiny, new bicycle is outside oxidation The bicycle was left outside in the weather. The weak acid in rainwater and the exposure of oxygen caused the bike to rust. this is called…show more content… Why? The scenes that showed examples of chemical weathering were scene 1 (water and oxidation), scene 2 (water), scene 4 (oxidation). This is because all of these scenes showed that the rocks chemical composition was being changed.
3) What do you think would be the weathering effects of moving a rock sculpture from a dry climate to a wet climate? Generally speaking, moving a rock sculpture from a dry climate to a wet climate will just cause weathering in general. In the dry climate, there is nothing that would physically alter the sculpture; however, in a wet climate, the rain will cause the sculpture to dissolve.
4) What effect do small burrowing animals and earthworms have on the rocks and soil in the ground? Earthworms affect the rocks and the soil by eating the soil and later, allowing it to be reused by putting it back out into the ground. Small, burrowing animals create extensive tunnel systems underground, causing water and air to move under the soil. This starts the process of weathering.
5) In terms of weathering, explain what will happen to a set of metal tools left outdoors in the rain for a long