Interactive Science: Earth’s Surface
Name:_______________________
Weathering and Erosion GMS 8
Date: _______________________
Rocks and Weathering (38-45)
Per: ________________________
Purpose:
Explain the process of weathering and erosion. Identify the two types of weathering.
Describe what causes weathering and erosion.
Materials:
Interactive Science Earth’s Surface book, clay, straw, ziplock bag, sharpie, water, and freezer.
Procedure:
Follow the directions and fill in the data. Answer the questions with complete sentences.
A. Write your name and period on the ziplock bag. Fill the straw with water. Cap the two ends with the clay
so the water can’t escape. Put the straw in the ziplock bag and seal it. Place it in the box for the freezer.
1. What do you think will happen when the straw is placed in the freezer? Think about the clay and the
straw._____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Why do you think this will happen? Think about the properties of water. _______________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
B. Types of Weathering
3. What is mechanical weathering? ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
4. What is chemical weathering? ________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
5. In the spaces below list the types of weathering, give examples with diagrams and words.
Mechanical
Chemical
C. Watch the short Youtube videos on weathering and erosion. Fill in the blanks below using words,
phrases, or pictures.
6. The agents of weathering are:
________________________ ________________________
________________________ ________________________
7. Mechanical or physical erosion is the _________________________________________________.
8. Chemical erosion causes a change in the ____________________________________ of rocks.
9. The formation of stalactites, stalagmites, and sinkholes are the result of ______________________, a
form of chemical erosion.
10. Headstones in cemeteries that look like they are melting are due to this type of chemical erosion:
________________________________________.
D. After 24 hours take your straw out of the freezer. Answer the following questions,
11. Describe what has happened to your straw with the water and clay plugs.
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
12. What process produces this result? ___________________________________________________
13. This is an example/model of what kind of erosion?________________________________________
14. What kind of mechanical weathering would this be an example
of?_____________________________________________________________________________
15. How do you know? What is your evidence? Are there other ways this kind of erosion affects
humans?___________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________