Earths Resources: soil, rocks, minerals, trees, plants, and water

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Earths Resources soil, rocks, minerals, trees,
plants, and water

• by Denise Carroll

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Who Studies Soil and Rocks?

• A geologist is a scientist who studies the layers
  of soil, rocks, and minerals that make up the
  earths surface.

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Natural Resources

• A natural resource is something found in nature
  that people can use to meet their needs. Natural
  resources are not man-made. Here are some natural
  resources
• - rocks - coal - water - soil - trees -
  plants
• - air - oil - minerals
• We will learn about some of these natural
  resources.

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Soil, Rocks, and Minerals are Natural Resources

• Soil is the loose top layer of the earths
  surface. All soil comes from rocks and minerals.
• A rock is a natural solid made of one or more
  minerals.
• Minerals are natural solids usually formed as
  crystals that are found in rocks. All rocks are
  made of one or more minerals.

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Soil is a Natural Resource

• Although many of us don't think about the ground
  beneath us or the soil that we walk on each day,
  the truth is soil is a very important resource.
• Think of the Earth as an egg. The shell is a
  very thin layer. Soil is the thin layer of the
  Earths surface.

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Can you think of any reasons to study soil? 

• We use the soil to grow our food.
• Some animals graze on it.
• Other animals live in the ground.
• We dig deep into the ground for our water wells.
• I'm sure you can think of many more reasons to
  study soil.

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3 Types of Soil

• Sand rough, gritty, wont form a ball
• Silt smooth like flour, not sticky or shiny.
• Clay soft, shiny, sticky when wet, forms ball,
  stains hands.
• When clay is heated, it hardens to make bricks
  and pottery.

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People Use Soil

• People need soil to grow food.
• People use soil to make adobe bricks to build
  things with.

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Rocks are Natural Resources

• A rock is a natural solid made of one or more
  minerals.

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Where to Find Rocks
A quarry is an open pit.
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Properties of Rocks and Minerals
Rocks can be classified by how they look and
feel. Color, texture, and hardness are properties
we look for in a rock or mineral.

• Color

• Hardness is tested by scratching a rock with your
  fingernail, a penny, and a nail.

• Texture is how much sand, silt, or clay is in the
  soil. Does it feel gritty, sticky, smooth, silky,
  moist, or dry?

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People Use Rocks

• People use rocks to build houses and roads.
• People use rocks to make walls and walkways.
• People use rocks to make sculptures.Most
  sculptures are made by carefully chipping away
  rock and making it smooth or rough.

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Mount Rushmore

• Mount Rushmore shows the faces of four great
  presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson,
  Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.
• From 1927 to 1941, 400 workers sculpted this
  memorial to represent the first 150 years of
  American history.
• It is located in Keystone, South Dakota.

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Minerals are Natural Resources

• Minerals are natural solids usually formed as
  crystals that are found in rocks. All rocks are
  made of one or more minerals.

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Plants are Natural Resources

• Plants have many uses
• They make surroundings more beautiful.
• Trees are used for wood to build houses and make
  furniture.
• Trees are also used to make paper.
• Fabric is made from plants, like cotton.
• Branches from plants are used for fuel to make a
  fire.
• Plants are used for food fruits, vegetables and
  grains.
• Plants are used to make cooking oils, herbs, and
  spices for seasoning foods.
• Plants are also used to make medicines.
• Some plants are even used to make rubber for
  tires.

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Water is a Natural Resource
Our supply of water will never run out. Water
covers about 70 of the Earth. Remember, water is
always being recycled.

• People use water in many ways
• People, plants, and animals need water to live.
• People use water for drinking and cooking.
• Water is used for having fun, to swim or
  cool-off.
• Water is also used for bathing and cleaning
  things.

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Congratulations!

• You have learned that soil, rocks, minerals,
  plants, and water are natural resources.
• You have also learned how people use rocks, soil,
  plants, and water.
• Would you like to be a geologist?

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Resources

• http//images.search.yahoo.com
• http//office.microsoft.com/clipart