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The Origin of Popcorn Rocks... The rocks contained in this package are magnesium rich dolomite. Dolomite is an evaporative sedimentary rock made up of a variety of sediments and minerals. This dolomite is actually somewhat unique in that it possesses an amazing property that is not necessarily common to other dolomite samples. When placed in distilled white vinegar, this dolomite grows beautiful white aragonite crystals.
This characteristic was first discovered in 1981 by Mr. Richard D. Barnes, then a geology student at the University of Utah, who was working with fossil specimens of horn coral that he had collected. Typically, horn corals are preserved in limestone, a rock that is composed of calcium carbonate, which reacts with vinegar and dissolves in that weak acid so that the fossil can be removed and studied. The interesting thing about this rock is that is did not dissolve but rather produced spectacular, white, bulbous crystals, resembling popped kernels of corn. That is how these rocks came to have the commercial name, popcorn rocks. In going back to the site, Mr. Barnes determined that this rock layer was actually an ancient lagoon that had been surrounded by a coral reef millions of years ago. He attributes the unique, crystal growing property of the rock to the residual minerals deposited in the rock layers by sea grasses that were present in the lagoon at that time.
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Instructions:
At this point, the rock may be picked up and examined. Note the beautiful aragonite crystals. Also examine the original dolomite sample and how it has changed. Proudly display your fine sample for all to see!
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Students can use the Crystal Growing Dolomite to investigate and analyze data obtained from testing different materials to determine which materials have the properties that are best suited for an intended purpose.
Students can use the Crystal Growing Dolomite to investigate and make observations to construct an evidence-based account that Earth events can occur quickly or slowly.
Students can use the Crystal Growing Dolomite in an investigation to make observations and/or measurements to provide evidence of the effects of weathering or the rate of erosion by water, ice, wind, or vegetation.
Students can use the Crystal Growing Dolomite in an investigation to develop a model to describe that matter is made of particles too small to be seen.
Students can use the Crystal Growing Dolomite to make observations and measurements to identify materials based on their properties.
Students can use the Crystal Growing Dolomite to analyze and interpret data on the properties of substances before and after the substances interact to determine if a chemical reaction has occurred.
Students can use the Crystal Growing Dolomite in an investigation to develop a model to describe the cycling of Earth's materials and the flow of energy that drives this process.
Students can use the Crystal Growing Dolomite to investigate and apply scientific principles with evidence to provide an explanation about the effects of changing the temperature or concentration of particles.
Students can use the Crystal Growing Dolomite in an investigation to develop a model to illustrate how Earth's internal and surface processes operate at different spatial and temporal scales to form continental and ocean-floor features.
Each pure substance has characteristic physical and chemical properties that can be used to identify it.
Matter can be described and classified by its observable properties. The various kits offer students an opportunity to see crystal formation and observe how the chemical composition affects the shape and size of those crystals.
Students can use the Crystal Growing Dolomite to observe the crystallization process in a short amount of time, modeling what can takes the Earth millions of years.
Students can use the Crystal Growing Dolomite to build crystals and then use a variety of methods to witness erosion of the crystal formations.
* NGSS is a registered trademark of Achieve. Neither Achieve nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of, and do not endorse, this product.
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