WeatheringSE
Explore how weathering breaks down rocks over time in the Weathering Gizmo. Observe mechanical and chemical weathering effects on different rock types like granite and limestone through interactive simulations.
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Student Exploration: Weathering
Vocabulary: abrasion, chemical weathering, clay formation, climate, dissolving, frost wedging,
granite, limestone, mechanical weathering, rusting, sandstone, shale, weathering
Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using
the Gizmo.)
Compare the two pictures at right. Both pictures show the
same kind of rock, granite.
1. Which rock do you think has been exposed on Earth's
surface longer? A
2. Why do you think so? You can see that not only is wall
flat, but you can also see all the layers in the rock
Gizmo Warm-up
When rocks are exposed on Earth's surface, they are
gradually broken down into soil b y the actions of rain, ice,
wind, and living organisms. This process is called
weathering. In the Weathering Gizmo, you will explore
how weathering takes place.
To begin, select the SIMULATION tab. Notice the selected
Rock type is Granite, a hard, dense rock.
1. Click Play ( * ). Wait for about 5,000 simulated years and click Pause ( 11 ). What do you
notice? The tops of the rocks have disappeared, forming craters in the rocks
2. Click Fastplay ( ** }. Wait for about 50,000 simulated years. What do you notice? The rock
continually gets smaller, and forms craters but it's extremely slow.
3. Based on your observations, is weathering a fast or slow process? It's a slow process.
Vocabulary: abrasion, chemical weathering, clay formation, climate, dissolving, frost wedging,
granite, limestone, mechanical weathering, rusting, sandstone, shale, weathering
Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using
the Gizmo.)
Compare the two pictures at right. Both pictures show the
same kind of rock, granite.
1. Which rock do you think has been exposed on Earth's
surface longer? A
2. Why do you think so? You can see that not only is wall
flat, but you can also see all the layers in the rock
Gizmo Warm-up
When rocks are exposed on Earth's surface, they are
gradually broken down into soil b y the actions of rain, ice,
wind, and living organisms. This process is called
weathering. In the Weathering Gizmo, you will explore
how weathering takes place.
To begin, select the SIMULATION tab. Notice the selected
Rock type is Granite, a hard, dense rock.
1. Click Play ( * ). Wait for about 5,000 simulated years and click Pause ( 11 ). What do you
notice? The tops of the rocks have disappeared, forming craters in the rocks
2. Click Fastplay ( ** }. Wait for about 50,000 simulated years. What do you notice? The rock
continually gets smaller, and forms craters but it's extremely slow.
3. Based on your observations, is weathering a fast or slow process? It's a slow process.
Activity A: Get the Gizmo ready:
* Select the ANIMATION tab. Check that Frost
wedging is selected.
Types of
weathering
Introduction: Mechanical weathering occurs when rocks are physically broken
Chemical weathering occurs when the minerals in the rock are changed by chemical reactions.
Question: What are the most common ways in which weathering occurs?
1. Observe: Read the text about frost wedging, then click Play.
A. In the process of frost wedging, how does ice cause cracks in rocks to become
larger? The water expands as it freezes witch pushes the rocks apart in turn cracking
them.
B. Is frost wedging more important in a warm or a cold climate? Cold
2. Observe: Read about and look at the animations for the other major types of weathering:
Abrasion, Pressure release, Dissolving, Clay formation, and Rusting
A. What are three different ways that rocks can be worn down by abrasion?
Underneath glaciers / Sand carried by the wind / Sediment in rivers.
B. How can a large block of granite form layers like an onion? It can form layers on top
creating a new top multiple times creating layers
C. What type of rock is affected by dissolving . and what features result? Rocks in
rivers and underground spring which can form canyons.
D. How does clay formation affect a rock? The rock will slowly transition into clay
E. Which part of a rock will undergo rusting ? The metal inside the rock (Iron)
3. Fill in: Scientists use the terms ''oxidation," ' carbonation," "hydrolysis,” and "exfoliation" for
different types of weathering. Fill in each blank with the appropriate term.
Pressure release: Exfoliation Dissolution: Carbonation
Clay formation: Hydrolysis Rusting: Oxidation
* Select the ANIMATION tab. Check that Frost
wedging is selected.
Types of
weathering
Introduction: Mechanical weathering occurs when rocks are physically broken
Chemical weathering occurs when the minerals in the rock are changed by chemical reactions.
Question: What are the most common ways in which weathering occurs?
1. Observe: Read the text about frost wedging, then click Play.
A. In the process of frost wedging, how does ice cause cracks in rocks to become
larger? The water expands as it freezes witch pushes the rocks apart in turn cracking
them.
B. Is frost wedging more important in a warm or a cold climate? Cold
2. Observe: Read about and look at the animations for the other major types of weathering:
Abrasion, Pressure release, Dissolving, Clay formation, and Rusting
A. What are three different ways that rocks can be worn down by abrasion?
Underneath glaciers / Sand carried by the wind / Sediment in rivers.
B. How can a large block of granite form layers like an onion? It can form layers on top
creating a new top multiple times creating layers
C. What type of rock is affected by dissolving . and what features result? Rocks in
rivers and underground spring which can form canyons.
D. How does clay formation affect a rock? The rock will slowly transition into clay
E. Which part of a rock will undergo rusting ? The metal inside the rock (Iron)
3. Fill in: Scientists use the terms ''oxidation," ' carbonation," "hydrolysis,” and "exfoliation" for
different types of weathering. Fill in each blank with the appropriate term.
Pressure release: Exfoliation Dissolution: Carbonation
Clay formation: Hydrolysis Rusting: Oxidation
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