Activity 11B: Identifying Sedimentary Rocks

  • Due Jan 24, 2021 by 11:59pm
  • Points 25
  • Submitting a file upload
  • Available after Jan 18, 2021 at 12am

Identifying Sedimentary Rocks

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For this section, you will need the following materials before you begin:

  • Sedimentary rock samples (or kit) selected by your instructor,
  • Glass plate, streak plate, and a hand lens (or magnifying glass)
  • Bottle of diluted HCl or white vinegar (optional)
  1. Your instructor will provide you with a variety of sedimentary rock samples. Use the Download Sedimentary Image Index to order your samples to their corresponding sample numbers.
  2. Using the kit provided, begin by separating the rocks into two piles, a clastic and a non-clastic pile. Remember, sedimentary rocks must be categorized as either clastic OR non-clastic; a sample cannot be both. For each sample number, indicate whether the sample is clastic or non-clastic by placing an X in the appropriate column below.

Using the same samples, and your answers from above, fill out Table 11.7.

  1. If the sample is clastic, determine the grain size, shape, and overall sorting.
  2. If the sample is non-clastic, indicate whether the sample is organic (O) or chemical/biochemical (C/BC). Then determine the dominant composition of the rock.
  3. Using the characteristics of each rock, identify each sample by name. Add the rock name to the final column of the table below.
  1. Chert and limestone are both fine-grained sedimentary rocks. What are two tests you can use to tell them apart?
  2. What characteristic distinguishes sedimentary breccia from conglomerate?
  3. How can sorting, rounding, and grain size be useful for understanding depositional environments? Use examples in your explanation.

Extra Help for Select Rocks:

Sedimentary Rock 1 in vinegar/weak acid. Does it react and effervesce? 

Sedimentary Rock 2 in vinegar/weak acid. Does it react and effervesce? 

Sedimentary Rock 4 in vinegar/weak acid. Does it react and effervesce? 

Sedimentary Rock 5 in vinegar/weak acid. Does it react and effervesce? 

Sedimentary Rock 6 in vinegar/weak acid. Does it react and effervesce? 

Sedimentary Rock 7 in vinegar/weak acid. Does it react and effervesce? 

Sedimentary Rock 9 in vinegar/weak acid. Does it react and effervesce?

Sedimentary Rock 10 in vinegar/weak acid. Does it react and effervesce? 

1611561599 01/24/2021 11:59pm