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There are two things I want every student to know by heart.FFCON helps us remember the fossil fuels: Coal, Oil, and Natural Gas.WEDCC helps us understand how rocks form over time: Weathering, Erosion, Deposition, Compaction, and Cementation.If you can explain FFCON and WEDCC, you have the foundation for understanding Earth’s processes.
These are the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Each line describes what students are expected to know and be able to do by the time they take the STAAR assessment. I have bolded the skill portion of each student expectation to highlight what students must demonstrate.
The Formation of Sedimentary Rocks
The Formation of Sedimentary Rocks
Sedimentary Rock
Sedimentary Rock
Sedimentary rock forms when sediment builds up in layers and hardens into rock. When the liquid in the sediment evaporates, a process we call 'mineralization' happens. The water leaves behind minerals that act like a glue and keep the rock together.
Weathering
Weathering
Weathering breaks rocks down into tiny pieces called sediments.
Erosion
Erosion
Erosion moves those sediments from one place to another.
Deposition
Deposition
When sediments are dropped in a new location, this process is called deposition.
Compaction
Compaction
Over time, compaction occurs as layers build up and press sediments tightly together.
Cementation
Cementation
Finally, cementation happens when minerals and pressure harden the sediments into sedimentary rock.
The Formation of Fossil Fuels
The Formation of Fossil Fuels
What are Fossil Fuels?
What are Fossil Fuels?
Solid, liquid, and gas fuels that formed over millions of years from the decayed remains of ancient organisms
Most of our fossil fuels today are from ancient algae, bacteria, and swamp plants
Coal
Coal
A solid fossil fuel burned for heat & to generate electricity
A solid fossil fuel burned for heat & to generate electricity
In ancient swamp regions, plants would die and decompose.
Material left behind would chemically change due to heat and pressure.
over millions of years, the material would harden into coal.
Oil, Petroleum, and Crude
Oil, Petroleum, and Crude
A liquid fossil fuel burned for heat & to generate electricity. Also used in manufacturing goods.
A liquid fossil fuel burned for heat & to generate electricity. Also used in manufacturing goods.
Ancient organisms, such as bacteria and phytoplankton would perish. Remains would decay and become buried under layers of sediment.
Over millions of years, heat and pressure chemically change the material into a liquid fuel called oil. Oil is not a single substance. It is a mixture of liquids, which is why it can be called by many different names.
Natural Gas
Natural Gas
A gas fossil fuel burned for cooking, heating, and lighting.
A gas fossil fuel burned for cooking, heating, and lighting.
Natural gas forms under the same conditions as oil.
Heat and pressure change buried organic material over millions of years.
Because natural gas is less dense than oil, it separates and rises.
Natural gas is found in pockets just above oil.
Rapid Changes to the Earth 4.10C
Rapid Changes to the Earth 4.10C
Rapid Changes
Rapid Changes
Some changes to Earth happen very quickly and change the landscape.
Volcanoes
Earthquakes
Landslide
Tsunamis
Earthquakes
Earthquakes
Earthquakes occur when pressure is released due to the movement of tectonic plates.
Earthquakes can cause landslides, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and the formation of mountain ranges.
Tsunami
Tsunami
A tsunami is a large ocean wave that occurs when large amounts of energy move through the water from earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Tsunamis cause heavy flooding and rapid erosion of the affected land.
Volcanic Eruption
Volcanic Eruption
A volcanic eruption occurs when a buildup of pressure releases lava, ash, and debris.
Volcanic eruptions can cause land to build up around a volcano and form islands.
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