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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.

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    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

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