HOW IT CAN BE OBSERVED WHEN ROCK EXPANDS AND CONTRACTS?
HOW IT CAN BE OBSERVED WHEN ROCK EXPANDS AND CONTRACTS?
Hello,
To actually observe the rock expanding or contracting would be virtually impossible because such natural processes occur gradually and any slight change could not be noticed. However sudden temperature or pressure changes can lead to significant changes in the rock's shape and size. Some rocks are porus and can absorb water which makes them expand and is they loose water they would contract.
A very simple experiment would be to draw a series of parallel lines on the surface of a rock using a marker pen (the colour should differ from the rock's) and measure the distance between the lines using a bendable ruler and record them. If the rock expands then the distance between the lines should increase otherwise it would decrease.
In this way we can measure the expansion or contraction of rocks.
Hello,
To actually observe the rock expanding or contracting would be virtually impossible because such natural processes occur gradually and any slight change could not be noticed. However sudden temperature or pressure changes can lead to significant changes in the rock's shape and size. Some rocks are porus and can absorb water which makes them expand and is they loose water they would contract.
A very simple experiment would be to draw a series of parallel lines on the surface of a rock using a marker pen (the colour should differ from the rock's) and measure the distance between the lines using a bendable ruler and record them. If the rock expands then the distance between the lines should increase otherwise it would decrease.
In this way we can measure the expansion or contraction of rocks.
