WEATHER

ING
OBJECTIVES
Define weathering
Describe how soil is
formed through
weathering
Compare Chemical from
Mechanical weathering
 KICKOFF
QUESTION
S
Have you ever wondered how
huge rocks turn into pebbles or
how valleys and canyons
are shaped?
How do natural forces like wind,
water and ice shape our world?
 WEATHERING Did You Know?
Australia’s own Uluru,
also known as Ayers
Rock, is an incredible
example of weathering
Earth is mainly Though rocks
and erosion. Wind and
rain have shaped this
composed of
seem to be very gigantic monolith over
rocks that differ millions of years!
hard, dense and
in terms of
sizes , shapes,
indestructible ,
and colors. they still break.

The breaking of rocks into

fragments is known as
weathering.
 WEATHERIN
It is a processG
where rocks, soil
and minerals are broken down
or worn away over time by
natural elements like wind,
water or
even plants and animals.
It can take many years and is
essential in shaping our Earth’s
landscapes.
 TYPES OF
WEATHERING
Mechanical
Weathering
Involves the physical
breakdown of rocks
without change in
their chemical
composition
 Mechanical
Weathering
Mechanical or physical weathering means the
breakdown of rocks and soils through direct
contact with atmospheric conditions such as
heat, water, ice and pressure Physical
weathering happens especially in places
places where there is little soil and few plants
grow, such as in mountain regions and hot
deserts.
MECHANICAL
WEATHERING
 TYPES OF
WEATHERING
Chemical
Weathering
Involves the change
in composition and
structure of rocks
and minerals through
chemical reactions
 TYPES OF
MECHANICAL
WEATHERING
• Wind
• Water
• Gravity
• Temperature
Change
• Ice Wedging
 WIND
When the wind blows
repeatedly in contact
with the rock, the wind
scrapes off small bits of
the rock. A strong gust
of wind can also blow
rocks and hit into
another rock causing it
to break.
 WATER
Waves from the sea can break rocks by
crashing against it. The pillars in the photo
are made of limestone that can be broken by
strong waves over time. Moving water that
flows quickly in a river can lift up rocks. Rocks
tend to bump into each other and breaks into
smaller pieces. Crashing waves cause the
unique forms of cliffs and caves along the
coasts.
WATER
 Chemical
Weathering
Chemical weathering is caused by rain water
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.
These chemical processes need water, and
occur more rapidly at higher temperature, so
warm, damp climates are best. Chemical
weathering is the first stage in the production of
soils.
 CHEMICAL
WEATHERING
 TYPES OF
WEATHERING
Biologica
l
Breakdown of rocks
through the activities
of organisms, such as
plants and burrowing
animals
 BIOLOGICAL
WEATHERING
Biological weathering happens when rocks are
broken into smaller pieces caused by living
organisms such as plants and animals.

The roots of trees and plants can grow within

the cracks of a rock formation. When the roots
grow, it pushes the cracks. This causes the
cracks to open wider. As time passes, the roots
break the rock apart.
BIOLOGICAL
WEATHERING
 WEATHERING

Mechanical Biological Chemical

Wind
Growth of Exposure to
Water compounds;
Plants and
Gravity Organisms water and
gases.
Temperatur
e Animal
Ice Activities
Wedging
 EROSIO
N where
It is a process
natural forces like wind,
water or ice transport
rocks, soil and other
materials on Earth’s
surface.
Moving air and water can
deposit these materials
in new locations.
 EROSION IN
ACTION!
Let’s take a look at some real-life examples of erosion around us.

The Twelve
Apostles in
Victoria,
OceanAustralia
waves and winds
gradually carved out caves
and arches in the
limestone cliffs, ultimately
forming these sea stacks.
 EROSION IN
ACTION!
Let’s take a look at some real-life examples of erosion around us.

Nitmiluk
National Park,
Northern
The Katherine
Territory River has
carved out this stunning
deep gorge over millions
of years.
 Rainfall and
Runoff

Wind

EROSION Mass
Movement

Overgrazing and
Tillage

Deforestation &
Urbanization
 RACE AGAINST
Have you ever wondered how long itTIME
takes for a rock to weather or for soil to erode?

Weathering Erosion
Weathering can happen over various Erosion can also happen quickly
timescales, from a few years for during a storm or over millions of
softer materials like soil and years due to slow processes like
sandstone to millions of years for wind and water erosion.
harder rocks.
 REVIEW

Weatheri Types of Race

ng and Weatheri Against
Erosion
Weathering is the
ng
Weathering can be
Time
Weathering and
breakdown or decay of categorised into three: erosion can occur fast
rocks, soil and minerals mechanical, chemical or for softer materials like
at the place where they biological. soil or over millions of
are found. years for harder rocks
like granite.
Erosion is the
transport of broken
down materials or soil
from one place to
another.
 WEATHERING
CHALLENGE
Identify whether each example exhibits
mechanical, chemical or biological weathering.

CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL MECHANICAL

Rounded rocks Squirrels dig and Carbonic acid Sand dunes and
and pebbles create burrows in forms the rock formations
alongside a rocky areas shapes observed shaped by winds
riverbank in caves

1. ______________ 2. ______________ 3. ______________ 4. ______________

 ANSWER KEY
MECHANICAL BIOLOGICAL CHEMICAL MECHANICAL

Rounded rocks Squirrels dig and Carbonic acid Sand dunes and
and pebbles create burrows in forms the rock formations
alongside a rocky areas shapes observed shaped by winds
riverbank in caves
 ACTIVITY
Multiple Choice: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the
chosen letter on your science notebook.

1. It is the breaking down of rocks into fragments.

A. erosion C. runoff
B. flooding D. weathering
2. A type of weathering that involves change in
the composition of the rock.
A. chemical C. both A & B
B. mechanical D. none of the
above
 ACTIVITY
Multiple Choice: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the
chosen letter on your science notebook.

3. What will happen to a rock when it is exposed to

higher temperature?
A. contracts C. expands
B. evaporates D. sinks
4. An open-pit mine where rocks can be extracted.
A. landfill C. reservoir
B. open-field D. quarry
 ACTIVITY
Multiple Choice: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the
chosen letter on your science notebook.

5. Which process can bring about chemical

weathering?
A. oxidation C. freezing
water
6. Which
B. rootofofthe following activities
trees of man
D. wave action
contribute to the breaking down of rocks?
A. fishing C. studying
B. mining D. sky diving
 ACTIVITY
Multiple Choice: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the
chosen letter on your science notebook.

7. Water, people, animals wear away bits of rocks.

when this happens, which of these is going on?
A. erosion C. mountain
building
8. Which of the following factors
B. weathering causes the
D. fermenting
breaking down of rocks?
A. man and animals C. temperature
B. plants D. all of these
 ACTIVITY
Multiple Choice: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the
chosen letter on your science notebook.

9. Water, people, animals wear away bits of rocks.

when this happens, which of these is going on?
A. erosion C. mountain
building
10.B.
Which of the following human
weathering activities may
D. fermenting
contribute to the breaking down of rocks?
A. cutting trees C. mining
B. fishing D. farming
 ANSWER
KEY
1. D 6. B
2. A 7. B
3. C 8. D
4. D 9. B
5. A 10. C
ASSIGNMENT
EROSION
DETECTIVE
Take a look around your
garden or local park. Can
you spot any signs of
weathering or erosion?
Draw or take a picture.