This week I am sharing some experiments with chocolate! When you are ready, click on the videos below do the experiment along with me. You can pause the video at any time, once you are finished, move on to the next slide and start the next video.
You will also need a table spoon and butter knife.
Modelling Rock Formation: Sedimentary Rocks
Sedimentary rocks are created from sediment layers under the sea e.g. sandstone, limestone, chalk and shale.
To make your sedimentary rock:
Place the plastic food bag into the beaker/pot.
Place 2-3 teaspoons of grated milk chocolate into the beaker/pot.
Place 2-3 teaspoons of grated white chocolate into the beaker/pot.
Repeat with a second layer of grated milk chocolate.
Fold the plastic food bag over the top of the chocolate.
Push down hard with fingers until the chocolate feels like it has stuck together. Don’t try to pull it out if it does not feel stuck together.
Pull out gently and unwrap.
Break the rock in half to reveal the layers.
Put some of this rock to one side and use the rest to make metamorphic rock.
Modelling Rock Formation: Metamorphic Rocks
Metamorphic rocks are created from sedimentary or igneous rock that has been changed by heat and pressure underground e.g. marble and slate.
To make your metamorphic rock:
Start with a sample of chocolate sedimentary rock.
Put the sample into the plastic food bag.
Squeeze the chocolate into a sphere.
Massage the sphere with fingertips until the heat from your fingers begins to melt the surface of the chocolate sphere.
The longer and harder you squeeze the stronger the finished rock will be.
The heat and pressure change the shape of the rock.
If you squeeze too hard you get a slimy mess of melted chocolate so keep the sphere shape.
Allow to cool for a few minutes.
Unwrap and use a metal or plastic spreading knife to cut through the sphere.
Modelling Rock Formation: Igneous Rocks
Igneous rocks are formed from molten rock from underground forced up to the surface e.g. through volcanoes e.g. granite and basalt.
To make your igneous rock:
Start with a sample of chocolate sedimentary rock.
Put the sample into the plastic food bag.
Squeeze the chocolate into a sphere.
Dip the sphere in the plastic bag into a beaker/pot of hot water for 30 seconds to a minute depending on size.
Leave to cool for about 20 minutes.
Unwrap and use a metal or plastic spreading knife to cut through the sphere.
Please only do this with an adult, if an adult cannot do this with you now leave it and wait till they are able to assist you.
What did we learn?
Write a short paragraph to explain how we used the chocolate to show the different ways rocks are formed.
Now for the best bit....EAT YOUR ROCKS! See how the different types of rocks feel/ taste different as they have changed throughout the experiment.
