INFANTA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

ACTIVITY NO. 5
CLASSIFICATION OF ROCKS

Name: Group no. Score:

I. OBJECTIVES
After performing this activity the students should be able to:
1. Classify rocks into igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks using a dichotomous key
2. Differentiate the three types of rocks

II. MATERIALS
Rock samples, magnifying lens, dichotomous key
III. PROCEDURES
1. Observed numbered rock samples carefully. Examine the samples using hand lens and then classify
them into igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. Use a dichotomous key to help you classify the
samples.

ROCK SAMPLE ROCK TYPE

(Igneous, Sedimentary, Metamorphic)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
 2.

2. Differentiate the following:

A. Intrusive Igneous and Extrusive Igneous rock

B. Magma and Lava

C. Clastic, chemical sedimentary and organic sedimentary rocks

D. Foliated and nonfoliated metamorphic rocks

3. How are igneous and metamorphic rocks alike?

4. Examine a sedimentary rock sample in which you can see particles that are held together. In addition to sight,
what other sense could help you classify the rock?

5. Your friend Sam brought you a rock that he found near a volcano. Without even looking at his rock, what type of rock
do you suspect it is? Why?

Key to Rock Classification

1. Look at the composition of your rock. Is the rock made up of visible particles? (for
example, mineral crystals or sand)

YES………………………… go to 3 NO………………………….. go to 2

2. Look at the texture of your rock. Is the rock glassy or porous (sponge-like)?

YES………The rock is IGNEOUS. NO………………………….. go to 5

3. Determine the type of particles that make up your rock. Is the rock made up of
individual particles (sand or pebbles) that are cemented together?

YES………The rock is SEDIMENTARY. NO………………………… go to 4

4. Determine if the mineral crystals of the rock. Do the rocks mineral crystals tend to line
up or form bands (foliation)?

YES………The rock is METAMORPHIC. NO………………………… go to 7.

5. Determine if the rock is made up of layers. Does the rock have layers or break into
layers?

YES………… go to step 6 NO………………The rock is IGNEOUS.

6. Is the rock shiny?

YES………The rock is METAMORPHIC. NO………………The rock is

SEDIMENTARY.

7. Look at the mineral crystals. Is the rock made up of two or more types of mineral
crystals?

YES………The rock is IGNEOUS. NO………………The rock is

METAMORPHIC.