Grains are the individual pieces that make up a rock.

A mineral is an element or compound with a crystal-like structure. They are the 'building blocks' of rocks.

The texture of a rock describes the size and shape of its grains. It also describes how the grains are arranged in the rock.

A crystal is a solid whose particles have a highly ordered arrangement. They often have a regular shape.

Interlocking describes grains which lock together like a "mosaic". Interlocking grains don't have gaps between them.

Inside rock

Science

Rocks and minerals

Types of rocks

Structure of Earth

Tectonic plates

Igneous rock

Metamorphic rock

In the Carbon Cycle and Climate Change unit, pupils will build on their understanding of Earth's resources to learn about the formation of sedimentary rocks and fossil fuels, and the impact of burning fossil fuels within the carbon cycle.

In the key stage 2 Rocks unit, pupils learnt to compare and group rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties and that soil is made of rocks and organic matter.

This unit explores Earth's composition, structure, and rock cycle, including the formation of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. It also examines Earth as a source of limited resources and the importance of recycling, alongside skills in making and evaluating observations and measurements.

Earth's resources

A mineral is an element or compound with a crystal–like structure. They are the 'building blocks' of rocks.

Crystalline describes a rock composed of interlocking crystals. It is ‘crystal–like’.

A rock is a solid substance, which is a mixture of minerals. It composes any solid portion of Earth.

A type of rock formed from the compression of sediments (rock fragments, minerals and remains of dead plants and animals).

A type of rock that has changed due to heat and/or pressure (e.g. marble, slate).

A type of rock formed from magma, either erupted from a volcano (e.g. pumice) or cooled below ground (e.g. granite).

A rock with no spaces between the grains or one that contains interlocking crystals.

A layer of dense rock found below the crust. Parts of it behave as a fluid over very long, geological time scales.

The outer core is a liquid layer of mostly iron and nickel that lies between the mantle and inner core.

The inner core is a solid ball of mostly iron that lies at the centre of Earth, within the outer core.

Used by scientists to represent parts of the natural world that are difficult to observe or explain directly.

A theory that proposed Earth's continents were once one landmass and gradually drifted apart over time.

Parts of Earth's crust that are found below landmasses is referred to as continental crust.

Parts of Earth's crust that are found below oceans is referred to as oceanic crust.

A tectonic plate consists of Earth's crust and the uppermost mantle that lies beneath it.

A theory that explains why continental landmasses move due to tectonic plates.

Molten (i.e. melted) rock that has broken through Earth's crust.

Molten (i.e. melted) rock beneath the Earth's surface.

A process in which solid crystals form as molten rock cools.

A type of igneous rock that form when lava has cooled and crystallised; they form above Earth's surface.

A type of igneous rock that form when magma has cooled and crystallised; they form under Earth's surface.

The effect of a force acting over an area.

Rocks that have changed due to heat and/or pressure (e.g. marble, slate).

Grains that line up in the same direction are described as aligned.

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