Hide
The Teaching Quantitative Skills in the Geosciences website has not been significantly updated since 2011. We are preserving the web pages here because they still contain useful ideas and content. But be aware that the site may have out of date information.
You can find more recent and extensive resources on the Teach the Earth website.

Geotechnical Approach to Weathering Simulation

A. Peter W. Hodder
Initial Publication Date: September 26, 2007

Summary

Students measure surface roughness of rocks to quantify their early weathering behavior. To simulate weathering, soak slabs of rock in acid for several weeks. Use the Shore scleroscope test to measure the surface roughness of the slabs every week. Collect and interpret data.


Learning Goals

  • Understand relationships governing reaction kinetics and how dissimilar rocks weather differently under similar conditions.
  • Enhance quantitative skills

Context for Use

This activity is appropriate for undergraduate-level geochemistry courses.

Description and Teaching Materials

The following materials are required:
  • Slabs of granite and marble (polished and unpolished faces)
  • Dilute acetic acid
  • Shore scleroscope (to measure roughness)

Teaching Notes and Tips

This activity is designed for the lab, but can be adapted for field investigations (tombstones, etc).


References and Resources

Hodder, A.P.W., 1997, A Geotechnical Approach to Weathering Simulation, Journal of Geoscience Education, v. 45, p. 359-362