EARTH SCIENCE

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET Weathering of Rocks

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.

Learning Competency with Code:

Describe how rocks undergo weathering (S11ES-IIa-22)

 Directions/Instructions:
Are you a keen observer? In activity 1, help Francine and her friend Elaine in
unveiling the mystery behind the pictures they got in their journey.
Last summer of 2019, Francine, together with her family went for a vacation
and visited beaches and the beautiful spots in the Ilocos Region also the scenic
spots in Isabela Province. Being a STEM student and nature lover, she took
pictures of the things that captured her attention most especially on rocks of
different formations. On the other hand, her friend Elaine who lives abroad sent
her unusual pictures of the things occurring around them most especially on rocks.
Do you want to see the pictures they got? How will you describe what are
seen in the pictures? Let us find out. In activity 2, help them describe what is
happening on those rocks, and in activity 3, try to connect what you have learned in
the first two activities in our daily life
experiences.

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.

Pictures Specific Factors How the rocks

Type of Affecting the undergo
Weathering Rate of weathering
Weathering
1.
2.

3.
Photo
Credit: C.
Mariano
Activity 2. Break Me Down

Objectives:
At the end of the activity, you should be able to determine the influence of
the types of weathering on each other and the factors that influence the rate of
weathering.

Materials Needed:
3 antacid tablets or sodium bicarbonate tablets or chalk sticks (with equal
volume)
3 250ml beakers/ glasses
Timer/watch/clock

Procedure
1. Perform the activity with caution. Take pictures of the steps followed in the
activity and arranged them in an A4-sized bond paper.
2. Prepare the materials needed. Label the 3 beakers/glasses according to the
particle size of the antacid you will be dissolving: whole, broken, and
crushed. If antacid is not available, you may use sodium bicarbonate tablet
or chalk sticks as alternative.
3. Crush one of the tablets using mortar and pestle, if not available you may
use a glass or bottle by rolling its side on the tablet placed in plate or
wrapper (optional). Then, break the other tablet into 2 while leaving one of
the tablets whole.
4. Put equal volume (100ml) of room temperature water to the
beakers/glasses.
5. Drop the tablet (whole, broken, crushed) into the appropriate
beakers/glasses and record the time from when the tablet is added to the
liquid until when the tablet has completely dissolved and no traces of the
tablet is visible. When working in group, assign members to drop the tablet
into the beaker/glass and one to record the time. If working individually
and at home, you may ask assistance from your family members.
6. Fill the table below with dissolution times (in seconds).
7. Wash the beakers/glasses with soap and water. Ready for use in the next set
up.
8. Repeat steps 2-7 using hot water and room temperature vinegar,
respectively instead of room temperature water. Caution: Use cloth
pad/gloves when handling hot water.

Data Table
1.
 Dissolution times (s)
Room temperature Hot water Room temperature
water vinegar
Whole tablet
Broken tablet
Crushed tablet

2. Plot the dissolution times in a bar graph where y axis is the dissolution time
(s) and x axis is the particle size (whole, broken, crushed). Use different
colors to represent the different liquids used in the activity. Write your
answer in a graphing paper.

Guide Questions:

1. Which tablet size and liquid combination resulted in fastest dissolution times?

2. What is the relationship between particle size and time it takes for the tablet to
dissolve? How does this relationship apply to weathering in nature?

3. Using the activity as a model, explain how mechanical weathering (breaking or

crushing) contribute to chemical weathering (dissolution)?
4. Compare dissolution times in room temperature water and hot water. Using this
as a model, what can you deduce about the relationship between temperature and
weathering rate?

5. Is there marked difference in the dissolution rate in water and vinegar both at
room temperature? What caused the difference? What does dissolution in
vinegar simulate in nature?

6. In what environment would weathering rate be fastest? Slowest? Explain your

reasons based on the observations from this activity.

Activity 3. Making Connections

Read

Read and analyze the article below on granite vs. gabbro.

Granite is a medium-to coarse-grained acid igneous rock with essential quartz

(>20%) and feldspar, where alkali feldspar constitutes between 100 and 35% of the
feldspars, and minor mafic minerals. Gabbro is a dark, medium- to coarse-grained
intrusive igneous rock composed of calcium-rich plagioclase, pyroxene, and minor
olivine, but no quartz.
Granite has several uses. It may contain valuable minerals. These may be either
gemstones or industrial minerals. Granite is an important construction material. It is
hard and durable which makes it a very good material for aggregate. It is one of the
most important dimension stones because of beautiful textures and colors. It is also
massive and durable – ideal material for countertops. Gabbro often contains
valuable amounts of chromium, nickel, cobalt, gold, silver, platinum, and copper
sulfides. Ocellar (orbicular) varieties of gabbro can be used as ornamental facing
stones, paving stones and it is also known by the trade name of 'black granite',
which is a popular type of graveyard headstone used in funerary rites. It is also used
in kitchens and their countertops, also under the misnomer of 'black granite'
(GeologyIn.com, 2018).

Figure 1. Gabbro
Figure 2. Granite
Source: https://geol
ogyscience.com/rocks/igneou
s-
Source: https://geologyscience.com/rocks/granite
/
rocks/intrusiv-
e igneous-rocks/gabbro/#j
p-carousel-2388

1. Based on the article above, what inference can you make on which rock is more
susceptible to chemical weathering in humid environment, granite or gabbro?
Explain.

2. Nowadays, most houses are tiled using different kinds of rocks. If you will have
your own dream house in the future, which of the two rocks will you prefer to
use in your house tiling?
Why? Relate your answer to weathering.

3. Looking beyond our planet, does weathering also occur in the moon? If so, has
the moon surface been weathered mechanically and/or chemically? Cite
instances.
4. In our daily experiences here on Earth, cite at least 3 examples each of
mechanical and chemical weathering of rocks. Do not include anymore the
examples cited above.

5. What is weathering?

Rubrics for Scoring:

Break Me Down Lab Activity (Holistic Rubric)

Criteria Below Average Above Excellent
Average (1) (2) Average (3) (4)
1. Followed procedure throughout
the activity and successfully
completed tasks as shown from
results and pictures presented.
2. Data and observations are
recorded accurately.
3. Graphs are drawn accurately and
clearly labelled.
4. Answers to discussion questions
are complete and written
correctly and accurately.

Reflection :
 Directions: Accomplish this part honestly.
1. I learned that

2. I enjoyed most on

3. I want to learn more on

References for Learners :

GeologyIn.com (2018). Granite vs. Gabbro: Similarities and Differences. Retrieved
from http://www.geologyin.com/2018/04/granite-vs-gabbro-similarities-
and.html

Geology Science (2020). Gabbro. Retrieved from

https://geologyscience.com/rocks/igneousrocks/intrusive-igneous-rocks/
gabbro/#jp-carousel-2388

Geology Science (2020). Granite. Retrieved from

https://geologyscience.com/rocks/granite/

Guzman, A.A. et al. (2016). Teaching Guide for Senior High School Earth Science
Core Subject. The Commission on Higher Education in collaboration with
the Philippine
Normal University. K to 12 Transition Program Management Unit, Commission
on
Higher Education, Quezon City. Licensed under a Creative Commons
AttributionNonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

Schulte, K. (2015). Frost Wedging: Definition and

Example. Retrieved from
https://study.com/academy/lesson/frost-wedging-definition-example.html.

Shambhavi, S. (2020). Weathering of Rocks: Factors/Geology. Retrieved from

https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/geology/weathering-of-rocks-5-factorsgeology/
91154#:~:text=Climate%3A,factor%20affecting%20weathering%20of%20rocks.&te xt=Warm
 %20climates%20affect%20by%20chemical,pronounced%20with%20more%20mois ture
%20content.

Tarbuck, E.J., Lutgens, F.K. & Tasa, D. (2014). Earth: An Introduction to Physical
Geology. Eleventh
Edition. Prentice Hall