Rock is a solid material that occurs naturally in Earth.

Physical properties are the features which can be observed from the way an object looks or feels or can be measured.

Hardness is the quality of being difficult to bend, cut, or break.

To compare is to examine or look for the difference between two or more things.

To group things is to put similar things together.

Physical properties of rocks: hardness

Science

Introduction to rocks

The appearance of rocks

Mohs' scale of hardness (non-statutory)

Physical properties of rocks: permeability

Everyday uses of rocks

Weathering and erosion of rocks

How fossils are formed

More about fossil formation

Mary Anning (non-statutory)

What soils are made from

Different types of soils (non-statutory)

Healthy soil (non-statutory Climate Change & Sustainability)

Soil permeability: plan (non-statutory)

Soil permeability: do and review (non-statutory)

How geologists work

In this Rocks and soil unit, pupils learn to describe in simple terms how fossils are formed. In the Evolution and inheritance unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to recognise that things have changed over time and that fossils provide information about living things that inhabited the Earth millions of years ago.

In the Uses of everyday materials unit, pupils learnt to identify and compare the suitability of materials, including rock. In this Rocks and soils unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to compare and group different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties.

This unit covers comparing and grouping rocks based on appearance and physical properties, understanding fossil formation, and recognising that soils are made from rocks and organic matter. It involves setting up practical enquiries, making observations, and using evidence to answer questions.

Rocks and soils

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

Activity that requires collection of items from an area (room, building).

The physical properties of rock are features that can be observed or ...

Which of these are physical properties of rocks you might observe or measure?

__________ rocks are hard. Fill in the gap.

Which of the rocks named below can be grouped as hard?

Scratching the rock's surface with a nail.

Which of these investigations would show if a rock was hard or not?

Match the object to the most suitable rock.

Match the objects to the material it is often made from.

Which of these describe a physical property of a material?

If you wanted to observe a rock more closely which of these pieces of equipment could you use?

Which of these statements describes a rock?

When we compare rocks, we observe {{}} and differences to be able to group them together.

We can work like a scientist to carry out an {{}} to find answers to questions.

Physical properties of rocks: hardness

Lesson outcome

Content guidance