Name: _____________________ Date: ______________________

STEM Teacher: Tomas V. Cruz, Jr.

Module 1: Weathering

I. Learning objectives:
After going through this lesson, you are expected to:
1. explain how rocks undergo weathering;
2. identify the different agents of weathering;
3. describe physical, chemical, and biological weathering; and
4. identify the different types of physical, chemical, and biological weathering.
Most Essential Learning Competency:
Describe how rocks undergo weathering

II.What I Know
Directions: Read and analyze the following questions. Encircle the letter that best answers each
question.
1. Which of the following best describes weathering?
a. The process by which rocks are exposed to severe weather
b. The process by which rocks are formed by heat and pressure
c. The mechanical or chemical process by which rocks are broken down
d. The process by which rocks are chemically strengthened due to exposure to heat and pressure

2. How does gravity contribute to weathering?

a. by abrasion of the rocks c. by dissolving rocks’ particles
b. by expansion of rocks d. by creating holes in rocks
3. Which of the following is NOT an example of physical weathering?
a. Freeze- thaw
b. Wind blowing sand onto a rock
c. Plant that grows on the cracks of the rocks
d. Abrasion due to the movement of glaciers

4. What happens to pieces of rock as they are transported by a river?

a. They get smaller and rounder c. smaller and more jagged
b. much larger and rounder d. gets larger and more jagged

5. In hydration, water is an active agent of chemical weathering. What happens when water
loosely combines with the minerals of the rock?
a. cements them together
b. converts the mineral into another kind
c. transports the rock into a lower altitude
d. weakens the molecular binding of the minerals
5. In hydration, water is an active agent of chemical weathering. What happens when water
loosely combines with the minerals of the rock?
a. cements them together
b. converts the mineral into another kind
c. transports the rock into a lower altitude
d. weakens the molecular binding of the minerals .
6. What are the two things that affect the rate of weathering?
a. time and date c. rain and ice
b. type of rock and climate d. size of rock and time of the year

7. Which of the following best describes chemical weathering?

a. The process by which rocks are broken down by physical forces
b. The process by which rocks are broken down by chemical means
c. The process by which rocks are broken down by anthropogenic activities
d. all of the above

8. Weak organic acids are produced by the action of the growing roots of lichens. These acids
react with some minerals in rocks resulting in the decomposition of rocks. How will you classify
this process?
a. Physical weathering
b. Chemical weathering
c. Biological weathering through physical means
d. Biological weathering through chemical compounds

9. Which of the following conditions will speed up chemical weathering?

a. fracturing c. high amount of rainfall
b. thick soil d. cold temperatures

10. Which type of rocks tends to weather more rapidly through hydrolysis process?
a. Rocks that contain iron. c. Rocks that are impermeable.
b. Rocks that contain quartz. d. Rocks that contain feldspar.

11. Which is an example of oxidation?

a. Rust decomposes rocks completely with passage of time.
b. Some of the minerals get dissolved in water.
c. The joints enlarge in size and lime is removed in the solution.
d. Due to the absorption of water by rocks, its volume increases.

12. Which of these statements is NOT true about mechanical weathering?

a. breaks rock material into smaller pieces
b. changes the chemical composition of rocks
c. strong winds carrying sand blows on the rocks
d. beach rock gets hot in daytime and cools in the evening thus creating
fracture on the rock
13. Which of the following activities has resulted in an increased rate of chemical weathering
through acidification?
1. The production of SO2 and NO in the atmosphere that combine with rain to form acids.
2. The release of too much carbon dioxide in the air that turn rain into weak acid.
3. The disintegration of rocks during construction and mining
4. The growth of the plant roots on the rock crack.
a. 1 only b. 2 only c. 1 and 2 d. 2 and 3

14. Which is not included in the group?

a. carbonation b. abrasion c. acidification d. hydration

15. In which of the following climates will chemical weathering be most rapid?
a. cold and dry b. cold and humid c. hot and dry d. hot and humid

III. Activity: Rock Breaking Challenge

Materials: 4 rock sample, hammer, and a concrete surface
Procedure:
1. Get a sample of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock.
2. Put the rock samples on the concrete surface.
3. Using hammer, hit each rock sample. (Wear eye protection in doing this activity.)
4. Observe what happened to the rock sample after series of hitting. Record your
data in the table.
Sample Number of hits
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
No. of No. of No. of No. of No. of No. of No. of
pieces pieces pieces pieces pieces pieces pieces

1
2
3
4

Guide Questions:
1. What happen to the rock after a series of hitting?
2. How will you describe the particles from the broken rocks?
3. What can you infer in the process of breaking down rocks?

lV. Important terms

I. Weathering
The Earth is constantly changing or altered physically as we have observed. The changes driven by
different forces of nature create new land forms. One of these forces is weathering. This process
includes degradation or breaking down of rocks into smaller segments known as sediments. It
occurs when mechanical force is applied on rocks or through chemical reactions happening on the
surface or within the rocks.
In this lesson, you are going to describe how rocks undergo weathering and the different agents
that cause weathering on rocks.
Rocks are naturally occurring mass of different kinds of minerals. It can be classified into different
kinds such as igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. These rocks are classified based on
their composition and the process of its formation. Igneous are formed from volcanic materials,
sedimentary rocks are result of the cementation of different sediments to form a new rock and
metamorphic rocks are produced through exposure of parent rock which can be an igneous,
sedimentary or another metamorphic rock to intense temperature and pressure. This scenario
proves that rocks are made up of components that can be broken down overtime. Continuous
exposure to external environmental forces can separate these components
WEATHERING
Weathering is the process of breakdown of rocks at the Earth’s surface, by the action of water,
ice, acids, salts, plants, animals, gravity and changing temperatures. There are three types of
weathering: physical weathering, chemical weathering, and biological weathering.
Physical weathering is caused by the effects of changing
temperatures on rocks, causing the rock to break apart.
The process is sometimes assisted by water. It happens
especially in places where there is little soil and few
plants grow, such as in mountain regions and hot
deserts. It occurs either through repeated melting and
freezing of water (mountains and tundra) or through
expansion and contraction
 of the surface layer of rocks that are baked by the sun
(hot deserts). There are two main types of physical
weathering:

A. Physical Weathering
 UPPER BICUTAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
General Santos Avenue, Central Bicutan, Taguig City
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
MODULE IN GRADE 11 – STEM : EARTH SCIENCE
1st Quarter

1. Abrasion. It occurs when rocks surface is frequently exposed to water, wind and
gravity.
2. Freeze-thaw. It occurs when water continually seeps into cracks, freezes and
expands, eventually breaking the rock apart. It occurs in mountainous regions like
the Alps or Snowdonia. It occurs through the following process:
Rainwater or snow- melt collects in cracks in the rocks→ at night the temperature
drops and the water freezes and expands→ the increases in volume of the ice
exerts pressure on the cracks in the rock, causing them to split further open→
during the day the ice melts and the water seeps deeper into the cracks → at night,
the water freezes again.
3. Exfoliation. It can happen as cracks develop parallel to the land surface as a
consequence of the reduction in pressure during uplift and erosion. It occurs
typically in upland areas where there are exposures of uniform coarsely crystalline
igneous rocks. The following are the process of exfoliation.
The rock mass at depth is under high pressure from underlying rocks. It tends to be
uniform and lack fractures. → As progressive erosion occurs, the rock mass is
subjected to progressively lower pressure of overlying rocks which leads to tension
in directions at right angles to the land surface → this tension is relieved by
formation of cracks which follow the land surface. They are relatively flat on
plateaus but can be steep on the flanks of mountains which are called exfoliation
domes → once the crack is developed; water enters and causes chemical
weathering leading to the formation of new low- density minerals. This enhances
the cracks and encourages slabs of rock to detach from the surface.

B. Chemical weathering

Chemical weathering is caused by rainwater reacting with the mineral grains in

rocks to form new minerals (clays) and soluble salts. These reactions occur
particularly when the water is slightly acidic. These chemical processes need water,
and occur more rapidly at higher temperature, so warm, damp climates are best.
Chemical weathering (especially hydrolysis and oxidation) is the first stage in the
production of soils.
There are different types of chemical weathering, the most important are:
1. Carbonation – Carbon dioxide in the air dissolves in rainwater and becomes
weakly acidic. This weak “carbonic acid” can dissolve limestone as it seeps into
cracks and cavities. Over many years, solution of the rock can form spectacular cave
systems.
2. Acidification - Polluting gases, like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide dissolve in
rainwater to make stronger acids. When this rainwater falls, we get acid rain. This
acid attacks many rock types, both by solution and hydrolysis, seriously damaging
buildings and monuments.
3. Hydrolysis - the breakdown of rock by acidic water to produce clay and soluble
salts. Hydrolysis takes place when acid rain reacts with rock-forming minerals such
as feldspar to produce clay and salts that are removed in solution. The only
common rock-forming mineral that is not affected is quartz, which is a chemically
resistant mineral. Therefore, quartz and clay are the two of the most common
minerals in sedimentary rocks.
4. Hydration – A type of chemical weathering where water reacts chemically with
the rocks, modifying its chemical structure. Example: H2O (water) is added to
CaSO4 (calcium sulfate) to create CaSO4 + 2H2O (calcium sulfate dihydrate). It
changes from anhydrite to gypsum.
5. Oxidation - the breakdown of rock by oxygen and water, often giving iron-rich
rocks a rusty-colored weathered surface.
C. Biological weathering

Biological weathering of rocks occurs when rocks are weakened by different

biological agents like plants and animals. When plant roots grow through rocks, it
creates fracture and cracks that result eventually to rock breakage. It can be
classified into:
 UPPER BICUTAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
General Santos Avenue, Central Bicutan, Taguig City
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
MODULE IN GRADE 11 – STEM : EARTH SCIENCE
1st Quarter

1. Biological Weathering by Physical Means. Burrowing animals like shrews, moles

and earthworms create holes on the ground by excavation and move the rock
fragments to the surface. These fragments become more exposed to other
environmental factors that can further enhance their weathering. Furthermore,
humans also indirectly contribute to biological weathering by different activities
that cause rocks to break.
2. Biological
Weathering by
Chemical
Compounds. Some
plants and animals
also produced acidic
substances that react
with the rock and
cause its slow
disintegration.

A. Direction: Write C if the statement is correct and I if the statement is incorrect.

Write on the space provide before each number.
__________1. Gravity is one of the agents of weathering.
__________2. Exfoliation occurs when water continually seeps into cracks, freezes
and expands eventually breaking the rock apart.
__________3. Carbonation occurs when carbon dioxide dissolved in water makes
acid and reacts with rocks.
__________4. Burrowing animals cannot contribute on weathering of rocks.
__________5. Hydrolysis takes place when acid rain reacts with rock-forming
minerals such as feldspar to produce clay and salts that are removed in solution.
__________6. Animals produce acidic compounds that can cause rock
disintegration.
__________7. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide when mix with water produces
basic
substance that can break down rocks’ components.
__________8. Humans indirectly contribute on weathering.
__________9. Water alters chemical components of rocks that cause weathering.
__________10. Earthworms are physical weathering agent.

B. Direction: Write P if the given is a physical weathering, C if chemical weathering

and B if it is biological weathering.
__________1. Balete tree grows at the wall of the building.
__________2. Construction workers use power tools to break the rocks.
__________3. Insects secrete acidic substance on rocks.
__________4. Glaciers carve its pathways.
__________5. Rainwater combined with iron on rocks produces rusts.
__________6. Carbon dioxide mix with water produces carbonic acid that reacts
with
rocks.
__________7. Water freezes in a large crack of a rock.
__________8. Strong winds blow small particles of the rocks.
__________9. Rocks form bubbles after the heavy pour of acid rain.
__________10. Rocks fall down from the mountain and break.

Directions: Complete the sentences below.

1. _________________ is the process of breaking down of rocks.
2.Water, ice, wind, gravity and changing temperature are agents of
___________________.
3. _________________ occurs when water continually seeps into cracks, freezes
and expands eventually breaking the rocks apart.
4. _________________ happens when rocks surfaces are frequently exposed with
water, wind and gravity.
5.Carbonation occurs when ___________ dissolves to rainwater producing
____________.
6. _______________ happened when SO2 and NO combined with rainwater and
produce __________ that reacts with rocks.
7. ________________ is a process of breaking down of rocks by acidic water to
produce clay and soluble salts.
8. _______________ is a type of chemical weathering where water reacts
chemically with the rocks, modifying its _________________.
9. ________________ animals create holes on the ground and move rock
fragments to the surface exposing them to environmental factors of weathering.
10. ___________ and ____________ produce acidic substances that slowly
disintegrate rocks.
From the concepts you have learned in this module, write a tagline about
weathering. (It could also be a hugot line or a Pick up line)
____________________________________________________________________
___
____________________________________________________________________
_____

Directions: Read and analyze the following questions. Encircle the letter that best
answers each question.
1. Which of these statements are true about mechanical weathering?
1. breaks rock material into smaller pieces
2. changes the chemical composition of rocks
3. moss growing on the wall fence creates crack on the walls
4. beach rock gets hot in daytime and cools in the evening thus creating fracture on
the rock
a. 1 and 2 b. 1 and 3 c. 1 and 4 d. 2 and 3
2. Which of the following activities has resulted in an increased rate of chemical
weathering through acidification?
a. The production of SO2 and NO in the atmosphere that combine with rain to form
acids.
b. The release of too much carbon dioxide in the air that turn rain into weak acid.
 UPPER BICUTAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
General Santos Avenue, Central Bicutan, Taguig City
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
MODULE IN GRADE 11 – STEM : EARTH SCIENCE
1st Quarter

c. The disintegration of rocks during construction and mining

d. The growth of plant roots on the rock crack.
3. Which is not included in the group?
a. abrasion b. acidification c. carbonation d. hydration
4. In which of the following climates will chemical weathering be most rapid?
a. hot and dry b. cold and dry c. hot and humid d. cold and humid
5. Which of the following do not describe weathering?
I. The process by which rocks are broken during severe weather
II. The process by which rocks are formed by heat and pressure
III. The mechanical or chemical process by which rocks are broken down
IV. The process by which rocks are chemically strengthened due to exposure to heat
and pressure
a. I, II and III b. I, II and IV c. I, III and IV d. II, III and IV
6. How does gravity contribute to weathering?
a. by expansion of rocks c. by creating holes in rocks
b. by abrasion of the rocks d. by splitting rocks particles

7. Which of the following is an example of biological weathering?

a. Freeze- thaw
b. Wind blowing sand onto a rock
c. Abrasion due to the movement of glaciers
d. Plant that grows on the cracks of the rocks

8. What happens to pieces of rock as they are transported by a river?

a. smaller and more jagged c. much larger and rounder
b. gets larger and more jagged d. they get smaller and rounder
9. In hydration, water is an active agent of chemical weathering. What happens
when water loosely combines with the minerals of the rock?
a. cements minerals of the rock together
b. converts the mineral into another kind
c. transports the rock into a lower altitude
d. breaks down the molecular binding of the minerals

10. Which type of rocks tends to weather more rapidly through the hydrolysis
process?
a. Rocks that contain iron. c. Rocks that contain feldspar.
b. Rocks that contain quartz. d. Rocks that are impermeable.

11. Which is an example of oxidation?

a. Some of the minerals get dissolved in water.
b. Rust decomposes rocks completely with passage of time.
c. The joints enlarge in size and lime is removed in the solution.
d. Due to the absorption of water by rocks, its volume increases.

12. What are the two things that affect the rate of weathering?
a. rain and ice c. type of rock and climate
b. time and date d. size of rock and time of the year

13. Which of the following best describes chemical weathering?

a. The process by which rocks are broken down by physical forces
b. The process by which rocks are broken down by chemical means
c. The process by which rocks are broken down by anthropogenic activities
d. all of these

14. Weak organic acids are produced by the action of the growing root of lichens.
These acids react with some minerals in rocks resulting in the decomposition of
rocks. How will you classify this process?
a. Physical weathering
b. Chemical weathering
c. Biological weathering through physical means
d. Biological weathering through chemical compounds

15. Which of the following conditions promotes slow chemical weathering?

a. fracturing c. high amount of rainfall
b. thick soil d. cold temperatures
 UPPER BICUTAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
General Santos Avenue, Central Bicutan, Taguig City
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
MODULE IN GRADE 11 – STEM : EARTH SCIENCE
1st Quarter

Additional Activities

Directions: Create a photo gallery of places showing the examples of weathering in

your locality. Upload this on social media and put a #weathering # the type of
weathering. Write a short discussion on the pictures. Tag it with your teachers and
classmates

Reference
Books:
Bayo-Ang, Roly et.al (2016). Earth and Life Science for Senior High School,
Educational Resources Corporation: Quezon City.
Cuarto, Ceazar Ryan. ( 2016). Conceptual Science and Beyond, Brilliant Creations
Publishing, Inc.: Quezon City.
Villamil,Aurora et.al(2004) Abiva Publishing House INC. : Quezon City.
Acosta, Herma D. et al, (2015). Science Learner’s Material and Teacher’s Guide, Rex
Bookstore, Inc.
Valdoz, Meliza P. et al, (2015). Science Links Worktest for Scientific and
Technological
Literacy, Rex Bookstore Inc.
Online References
https://www.academia.edu/2325019/In-
class_activity_in_crustal_deformation_physical_geography_using_play-doh
https://www.zmescience.com/other/science-abc/lay