La Consolacion University Philippines

(formerly University of Regina Carmeli)

CITY OF MALOLOS, BULACAN 3000 PHILIPPINES

BASIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
S.Y. 2017-2018

Name: _____________________________________________________ Score: __________________

Grade and Section: _________________________________________ Date Submitted: _________

Laboratory Activity No. 5

Rocks under Stress

I. Introduction:

The earth’s crust and its rigid upper mantle, the lithosphere are broken into sections or blocks called tectonic plates.
As the lithosphere moves, rocks in the crust are squeezed, stretched and twisted. The force put on the rocks by these
actions is called stress. There are three different types of stress in the rocks of the lithosphere: tension, compression and
shear. During tension stress, rocks are pulled in opposite directions. Compression stress squeezes and shortens rocks as
they are pushed together. Shear stress distorts the shape of rocks by pushing certain sections in opposite directions. In
this activity, you will model the three types of rock stresses using large marshmallows.

II. Objectives:

1. Demonstrate the effects of tension, compression and shear stress.

III. Methodology:

Materials: Large marshmallow, paper towel, alcohol short bond paper, coloring materials

Methodology:

1. Marshmallow 1: hold it between fingers of both hands. Slowly pull the edges of the marshmallow in opposite
directions as if you were attempting to pull it apart. Observe what happens.
2. Marshmallow 2: hold between your thumbs and forefingers. Push the edges of the marshmallow toward each
other as if you were trying to make them meet. Observe what happens.
3. Marshmallow 3: hold between your thumbs and forefingers. Push one edge of the marshmallow downward while
you push the other edge upward. Observe what happens.

IV. Observation:

Type of Stress/Force Observation

Marshmallow 1
Marshmallow 2
Marshmallow 3

V. Guide Question:
1. Describe the type of strain which the marshmallows exhibit? Explain your answer. (!)

NS1: LABORATORY ACTIVITY 3 SCIENCE DEPARTMENT (2017)