Howardites

The answer sheet for the worksheet Testing a rock like a scientist. Each answer comes with the reason, so it can be used to mark or to go over the questions with the class.

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KS2 · Ages 7 to 11 (Years 3 to 6)Answer sheet for teachers

Answers: Testing a rock like a scientist

  1. B: Some Earth rocks share a single clue with meteoritesIron ore, for example, is heavy and magnetic like many meteorites. Several clues pointing the same way are much stronger evidence.
  2. C: Ask a museum or university to check itAll the clues point the same way, so an expert should check it. Never cut, heat or put acid on a possible meteorite.
  3. D: They contain metalMetal is heavy, so the metal inside most meteorites makes them feel heavy for their size.
  4. D: The coloured line a mineral leaves on a rough tileRubbing a rock on rough, unglazed tile leaves a line of powder. Its colour is the mineral's streak.
  5. False: the right answer is No streak, or only a very faint grey oneMost meteorites leave no streak or just a faint grey line, unlike iron ores.
  6. True (Black)Magnetite leaves a black streak. Haematite leaves a red-brown one.
  7. Magnetite from Earth (accept any answer with the same meaning)A strong black streak means the rock is almost certainly from Earth, and magnetite is heavy and magnetic too.
  8. 4 times (accept any answer with the same meaning)Divide to compare: 1,000 ÷ 250 = 4, so rock B is 4 times heavier for the same size.

Task

Answers will vary. The task comes from the lesson: Try the streak test on any rocks you have, using the back of a white tile. Record the colour of each streak in a table. Then use the Is my rock a meteorite? checker on this site to go through the clues one at a time for an imaginary rock.

Look for work that uses the key words correctly and gives a reason for each point.

Howardites · teacher copy: keep it separate from the pupil worksheets