Models and Simulations

What is a model and how do you model a rock? Can you create the model of a rock?

A model is a way of representing something you can't normally see.
You can model a rock using different materials such as making a rock out of clay.
I could create a model of a rock with clay, paper, or other materials.

He gave us a lucky charms bar and we need to describe what this model is representing:

It is a model of a sedimentary rock because it shows bits and pieces glued together we call these bits and pieces plastics.

A metamorphic rock has very thin layers of banding (foliation)
      A model of a metamorphic rock would be a butterfinger.

The final type of rock is the igneous model
    A model of this is the sugar rock crystals that we made last week.

Rock Story

Once upon a time in a castle far far away there was a huge kingdom full of riches. There were also many evil people who lived in this kingdom. There was a handsome prince named Albert that lived in the castle. Albert wasn't like the others, he was full of love and passion. Everyone in the kingdom was envious of prince Albert and hated him for his beauty and wisdom. One day an evil witch decided she was going to put a spell on prince Albert. She thought there was no worse punishment than being turned into a rock. So she cast a spell turning prince Albert into a rock for all eternity. But if you look at the rock she turned him into, it has a silvery shine to it. Prince Albert's shinning personality shows through even as a rock.

Elements and Minerals

Minerals can be the pure element, like Gold, Silver or Copper, but most minerals are compounds of elements, like Quartz (SiO2), and Gypsum CaSO42H2O.

The most common mineral then is made up of the two most common elements, Oxygen and Silicon, SiO2. It’s a compound of the two elements and it’s name is Quartz (Silica).

Here is a list of the top 8 most common elements in minerals and their percentages:

                 

Oxygen	46.60%
Silicon	27.72%
Aluminum	8.13%
Iron	5.00%
Calcium	3.63%
Sodium	2.83%
Potassium	2.59%
Magnesium	2.09%

  

  

Crystal Lab

Salt and Water - Big crystals, this is why our cars rust in the Winter.

Corn Syrup, Sugar, and Water - Smaller crystals, sort of syrupy, not fully crystallized. It looks like the candy rock sticks you can buy at the store and eat. 

Salt, Water, and Blue Mixture all over Charcoal - We put the mixture on the charcoal last week and ours looks furry but other people used Salt, Water, Blue Mixture, and Ammonia and there's grew a lot more than ours did. They have large crystals that stick up a lot and ours sort of lays flat.  

This lab was used to show us how to make different crystal structures and help us to observe the process. Different ingredients added in different ways at different times completely change how the crystals are made.

After waiting another week, the crystals look very similar to they did last week.

Atomic Theory

Before learning anything in class, what I know about Atomic Theory:

Atom - Everything is composed of atoms
Proton - Positive
Neutron - neither positive or negative
Electron - Negative
Valance Shell - needs 8 electrons to be full
Ion - Positive or Negative Atoms
Isotope - different ways an element can be expressed
Atomic Mass/Weight - how much an element weighs
Shells - In order for bonding to occur, there needs to be 8 electrons
Bonding - can occur between two elements