Weathering

– refers to the process of breaking rocks

into smaller pieces
Types of Weathering
1. Physical or Mechanical Weathering
- Rocks are weathered mechanically by
water and temperature.
- Rocks exposed to the intense heat of
the sun; rocks crumble and crack when
rain falls and soaks to the ground.
2. Chemical Weathering
- breaks down rock by changing its
chemical composition.

- Example of this is when certain

elements react with oxygen in the
process called OXIDATION. Rocks
become oxides and their properties
change.
Agents of Weathering
1. Water
- Running water moves rocks. As rocks
move, they bump into each other.

2. Wind
- Strong winds pick up particles of dust
and sand as they blow. These particles
scratch the surface of rocks.
3. Plants
- Plants weather rocks mechanically
when the roots widen rocks. As the
cracks become wider and deeper, they
weaken the rocks.

4. Animals
- Earthworms, ants, rabbits and other
burrowing animals dig holes in the
ground.
5. People
- They dig tunnels for mining
operations
- They build roads and factories
WEATHERING BY WATER
WEATHERING BY WIND
WEATHERING BY PLANTS
WEATHERING BY ANIMALS
WEATHERING BY PEOPLE
Seatwork:
A. Write True or False.
1. Weathering is the process of breaking
down of rocks.
2. Soil is an important product of
weathering.
3. All rocks are weathered quickly.
4. Animals do not contribute to the
weathering of rocks.
5. Chemical weathering breaks rock by
changing its chemical composition.
B. What are the causes of weathering?
Write PEOPLE, ANIMALS, PLANTS, WIND
or WATER.

 6. dig tunnels for mining

7. pick up particles of sand
8. rabbits dig holes in the ground
9. roots widen cracks
10. heavy rainfall
Seatwork:

1. True 6. PEOPLE
2. True 7. WIND
3. False 8. ANIMALS
4. False 9. PLANTS
5. True 10. WATER