Catherine S.

Morales
Subject Teacher
 Most Essential Learning
Competency:

Describe how
rocks undergo
weathering

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

1
Identify the different agents of weathering;

Identify the different types of physical, chemical,

2 and biological weathering;

3 Describe physical, chemical and biological

weathering; and
4
Explain how rocks undergo weathering
What’s In?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meEiToTMpFs
 What is it?

Weathering is the
process of breakdown of
rocks at the Earth’s
surface, by the
action of water, ice,
acids, salts, plants,
animals, gravity and
changing temperatures.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC
Agents of Weathering

1. Water
 Agents of Weathering

2. Salt
Agents of Weathering

3. Temperature
Agents of Weathering

4. Plants
Agents of Weathering

5. Animals
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY
 Types of Weathering

A. Physical Weathering
Physical weathering is caused by the
effects of changing temperatures on rocks,
causing the rock to break apart. The
process is sometimes assisted by water. It
happens especially in places where there is
little soil and few plants grow, such as in
mountain regions and hot deserts.
• Sometimes called mechanical weathering,
physical weathering is the process that breaks
rocks apart without changing their chemical
composition
Figure 1. Kapurpurawan Rock formation at Burgos,
Ilocos Norte
A. Physical Weathering

A_R_S__N
ABRASION
It occurs when rocks surface is
frequently exposed to water, wind
and gravity.
A. Physical Weathering - ABRASION
A. Physical Weathering

FREEZE-THAW
F_E_Z_-TH_W
It occurs when water continually
seeps into cracks, freezes and
expands, eventually breaking the
rock apart.
A. Physical Weathering – Freeze-Thaw
A. Physical Weathering

E_F_LI_TI_N
EXFOLIATION
It can happen as cracks develop
parallel to the land surface as a
consequence of the reduction in
pressure during uplift and erosion.
A. Physical Weathering – Exfoliation
 Types of Weathering

B. Chemical Weathering

Chemical weathering is caused by

rainwater reacting with the mineral grains
in rocks to form new minerals (clays) and
soluble salts. These reactions occur
particularly when the water is slightly
acidic.
 Types of Weathering

B. Chemical Weathering

These chemical processes need water, and

occur more rapidly at higher temperature,
so warm, damp climates are best.
Chemical weathering (especially hydrolysis
and oxidation) is the first stage in the
production of soils.
Figure 2. Kapurpurawan Rock formation at Burgos,
Ilocos Norte
B. Chemical Weathering

CARBONATION
C_R_O_A_I_N
- carbon dioxide in the air dissolves
in rainwater and becomes weakly
acidic. This weak “carbonic acid”
can dissolve limestone as it seeps
into cracks and cavities.
B. Chemical Weathering - CARBONATION
B. Chemical Weathering

H_D_O_YS_S
HYDROLYSIS
- the breakdown of rock by acidic water
to produce clay and soluble salts.
Hydrolysis takes place when acid rain
reacts with rock-forming minerals such as
feldspar to produce clay and salts that are
removed in solution.
B. Chemical Weathering - HYDROLYSIS

https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/ks3/gsl/education/resources/rockcycle/page3566.html
B. Chemical Weathering

H_D_A_I_N
HYDRATION

- a type of chemical weathering where

water reacts chemically with the
rocks, modifying its chemical
structure.
B. Chemical Weathering - HYDRATION

Example: H2O (water) is

added to CaSO4 (calcium
sulfate) to create CaSO4 +
2H2O (calcium sulfate
dihydrate). It changes from
anhydrite to gypsum.

https://www.rockngem.com/gypsum-and-anhydrite/
B. Chemical Weathering

O_I_A_I_N
OXIDATION

– the breakdown of rock by oxygen

and water, often giving iron- rich
rocks a rusty-colored weathered
surface.
B. Chemical Weathering - OXIDATION

https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/324962929337101747/
 Types of Weathering

C. Biological Weathering

Biological weathering of rocks occurs

when rocks are weakened by different
biological agents like plants and animals.
When plant roots grow through rocks, it
creates fracture and cracks that result
eventually to rock breakage.
 C. Biological Weathering
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6086091/Massive-banyan-tree-grown-inside-residential-
building-40-years.html

Belete tree (Ficus sp.) grows in a commercial building in Massive banyan tree has grown INSIDE a residential building
Lemery, Batangas. for 40 years
C. Biological Weathering

1. Biological
Weathering by
Physical Means
- Burrowing animals like shrews,
moles and earthworms create holes on
the ground by excavation and move
the rock fragments to the surface.
C. Biological Weathering

1. Biological
Weathering by
Physical Means
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

…. These fragments become more

exposed to other environmental
factors that can further enhance their
weathering.
C. Biological Weathering

1. Biological
Weathering by
Physical Means
…. Furthermore, This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

humans also indirectly contribute to

biological weathering by different
activities that cause rocks to break.
 C. Biological Weathering

2. Biological
Weathering by
Chemical Compounds
- Some plants and animals also
produced acidic substances that react
with the rock and cause its slow
disintegration.
https://passel2.unl.edu/view/lesson/edd25385ca3d/4
ACTIVITY TIME!
A. Write ☑ if the statement is correct
and ☒ if the statement is incorrect.

☑ ☒
A. Write ☑ if the statement is correct and ☒ if
the statement is incorrect.

Gravity is one of the agents of

weathering.
A. Write ☑ if the statement is correct and ☒ if
the statement is incorrect.

Exfoliation occurs when water

continually seeps into cracks,
freezes and expands
eventually breaking the
rock apart.
Freeze-Thaw
A. Write ☑ if the statement is correct and ☒ if
the statement is incorrect.

Carbonation occurs when

carbon dioxide dissolved in
water makes acid and
reacts with rocks.
A. Write ☑ if the statement is correct and ☒ if
the statement is incorrect.

Burrowing animals cannot

contribute on
weathering of rocks.
A. Write ☑ if the statement is correct and ☒ if
the statement is incorrect.

Hydrolysis takes place when acid

rain reacts with rock-forming
minerals such as feldspar to
produce clay and salts that
are removed in
solution.
A. Write ☑ if the statement is correct and ☒ if
the statement is incorrect.

Animals produce acidic

compounds that can cause
rock disintegration.
A. Write ☑ if the statement is correct and ☒ if
the statement is incorrect.

Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide

when mix with water produces
basic substance that can
break down rocks’
components.
CaSO4 (calcium sulfate) and CaSO4
+ 2H2O (calcium sulfate dihydrate)
A. Write ☑ if the statement is correct and ☒ if
the statement is incorrect.

Humans indirectly contribute

on weathering.
A. Write ☑ if the statement is correct and ☒ if
the statement is incorrect.

Water alters chemical

components of rocks that cause
weathering.
A. Write ☑ if the statement is correct and ☒ if
the statement is incorrect.

Earthworms are physical

weathering agent.
B. Group the following statements as to
Physical, Chemical or Biological Weathering
by writing them down on the table provided
below.
B. Group the following statements as to
Physical, Chemical or Biological Weathering
by writing them down on the table provided
below.

Balete tree grows at the wall of

the building.
B. Group the following statements as to
Physical, Chemical or Biological Weathering
by writing them down on the table provided
below.

Construction workers use

power tools to break the rocks.
B. Group the following statements as to
Physical, Chemical or Biological Weathering
by writing them down on the table provided
below.

Insects secrete acidic substance

on rocks.
B. Group the following statements as to
Physical, Chemical or Biological Weathering
by writing them down on the table provided
below.

Glaciers carve its pathways.

B. Group the following statements as to
Physical, Chemical or Biological Weathering
by writing them down on the table provided
below.

Rainwater combined with iron

on rocks produces rusts.
B. Group the following statements as to
Physical, Chemical or Biological Weathering
by writing them down on the table provided
below.

Carbon dioxide mix with water

produces carbonic acid that
reacts with rocks.
B. Group the following statements as to
Physical, Chemical or Biological Weathering
by writing them down on the table provided
below.

Water freezes in a large crack

of a rock.
B. Group the following statements as to
Physical, Chemical or Biological Weathering
by writing them down on the table provided
below.

Strong winds blow small

particles of the rocks.
B. Group the following statements as to
Physical, Chemical or Biological Weathering
by writing them down on the table provided
below.

Rocks form bubbles after the

heavy pour of acid rain.
B. Group the following statements as to
Physical, Chemical or Biological Weathering
by writing them down on the table provided
below.

Rocks fall down from the

mountain and break.
Let’s Check!
- Glaciers carve its pathways.
- Water freezes in a large crack
of a rock.
- Strong winds blow small
particles of the rocks.
- Rocks fall down from the
mountain and break.
- Rainwater combined with iron
on rocks produces rusts.
- Carbon dioxide mix with
water produces carbonic acid
that reacts with rocks.
- Rocks form bubbles after the
heavy pour of acid rain.
- Balete tree grows at the wall
of the building.
- Construction workers use
power tools to break the
rocks.
- Insects secrete acidic
substance on rocks.
References

• https://www.theconsciouschallenge.org/ecologicalfootprintbibleoverview/agriculture-soil-
degradation#:~:text=This%20results%20is%20depletion%2C%20erosion,minerals%20needed%20for%20p
lant%20growth.
• https://stats.oecd.org/glossary/detail.asp?ID=1977#:~:text=Overgrazing%20is%20grazing%20by%20livest
ock,and%20thorny%20shrubs%20may%20increase.
• https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/soil-erosion-and-degradation
• https://www.azolifesciences.com/article/What-Causes-Soil-Erosion.aspx
Thank you and Stay
Safe everyone!