EARTH SCIENCE

Week 1(2ND QUARTER)

Name: __________________________________________________ Year & Section: _____________ Date: _________ Score: _____
CONCEPT NOTES:

Background Information for Learners:

There are two main types of weathering of rocks:
1. Physical weathering (or mechanical weathering) is the disintegration of rocks, breaking them
into smaller pieces due to any force (natural or anthropogenic) without altering its composition (Guzman,
et al., 2016). The processes include:
a. Frost wedging – repeated freezing and thawing of water found in the cracks of rocks called joints pushes
the rock to the breaking point
b. Salt crystal growth – enough build-up of salt crystals left behind in pore spaces or cracks of rocks as
water evaporates can cause the rock to expand, and eventually break apart
c. Abrasion – wearing a way of rocks by colliding particles
d. Exfoliation – reduced pressure on igneous rock causes it to expand and allows slabs of outer rock to break
off in layers (Tarbuck, Lutgens & Tasa, 2014)
e. biological activity – animals, microbes and plants as agents of mechanical weathering, such as
application of pressure on rocks, burrowing animals
2. Chemical weathering is the decomposition of rocks involving chemical reactions causing change in their
chemical makeup as influenced by low pressure, low temperature, and the water and oxygen-rich nature of
the Earth’s surface (Guzman, et al., 2016). The processes include:
a. Dissolution / carbonation – dissociation of molecules into ions; example is the dissolution of calcite and
salt; removal of rock by acidic rainwater in solution especially dissolved CO2-containing rainwater weathers
the rock
b. Oxidation – rock breakdown by oxygen and water, often giving a rusty-colored weathered surface to iron-
rich rocks
c. Hydrolysis – acidic water breakdown of rock producing clay and soluble salts
d. biological activity – biological processes of plants, animals and microbes such as the production of
organic acids by plant roots that help dissolve minerals in rocks or microorganisms that consume minerals on
rocks

There are factors that affect the type, extent and rate at which weathering takes place:
a. Climate – warm climates affect by chemical weathering while cold climates affect by physical weathering
(particularly frost action); chemical weathering is more pronounced with more moisture content, higher
temperature, and water (Shambhavi, 2020).
b. Mineral composition – mineral in a rock may readily react with acids, water or oxygen, for example
limestone can be severely acted upon by mild acidic rainwater while granite which contains silica remains
unaffected by such agents (Shambhavi, 2020). The susceptibility of minerals (from high to low) roughly follows
the inverse of the order of crystallization of minerals in the Bowen’s reaction series. Thus, olivine which
crystallizes first is the least resistant whereas quartz which crystallizes last is the most resistant. Limestone is
made from calcium carbonate and is therefore prone to carbonation while some sandstones contain iron
minerals and are prone to oxidation (Guzman, et al., 2016).
c. Rock structure - Soft (amorphous) and those highly fractured/jointed rocks easily undergo weathering
than solid crystalline rocks that are quite compact and very resistive to weathering (Guzman, et al., 2016).
d. Topography – physical weathering occurs more quickly on a steep slope than on a gentle one. On the other
hand, chemical weathering is enhanced on a gentle slope, water may stay longer in contact with the rocks
(Guzman, et al., 2016).
e. Time – duration of time for which a rock is exposed to weather determines the extent of weathering
(Shambhavi, 2020). According to Guzman et al. (2016) the length of exposure to agents of weather determines
the degree of weathering of a rock.

Activity 1. Picture Speaks a Thousand Words

Given below are pictures of rocks undergoing weathering taken by Francine and Elaine in their
journey. Identify the specific type of physical or chemical weathering involved, the factors that might affect the
weathering of rocks, and describe how the rocks undergo weathering. Write your answers in each column
found in the table below. NO. 1 IS DONE FOR YOU.
 Growing plant roots
Climate, exert stress or
Biological mineral pressure on rocks
activity composition, (Physical). Roots
(Physical & rock structure, produce organic acids
Chemical) topography, which help to dissolve
time. minerals in rocks
(chemical).