The wearing down or breaking of rocks while they are in place. Weathering can be biological, chemical or physical.

An increase in volume which happens when most solids get hotter, but also when water freezes to form ice.

A physical weathering process whereby water seeps into cracks, freezes and expands. This gradually wedges open cracks until the rock breaks.

The breakdown and removal of rock material by flowing water, wind, or moving ice.

Physical weathering and erosion

Science

Formation of sedimentary rock

Fossils and the rock cycle

Formation of fossil fuels

Gases in the atmosphere

Atmospheric carbon

The carbon cycle

In the Atmosphere and Changing Climate unit, pupils will build on their understanding of the carbon cycle and climate change to explore the evidence for the composition and evolution of the Earth's atmosphere, and the effects and mitigation of increased levels of carbon dioxide and methane.

In the Earth's Resources unit, pupils learned about the composition of rock, the interior of the Earth, and how igneous and metamorphic rocks are made by heating.

This unit explores the rock cycle and the formation of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. It also examines the atmosphere's composition, human-induced carbon dioxide production, and its impact on climate. Focus is on interpreting data, identifying patterns, and presenting explanations.

Carbon cycle and climate change

a material deposited by water, wind or ice, such as pebbles, sand, or salts left by evaporation

the process of sediment grains settling out (i.e. being deposited) from water or wind as their flow slows, or as ice melts

a process where sediment grains become compacted (i.e. squashed closer together) during burial

a process by which sediment grains are cemented (i.e. stuck together) by minerals deposited from groundwater, turning the sediment into rock

layers of rock (i.e. several rock beds) formed by the deposition of sediment

The mineralised remains or impression of once–living organisms, or of traces left behind by organisms (e.g. skeletons, shells or impressions).

An element or compound with a crystal–like structure. They are the 'building blocks' of rocks.

A material deposited by water, wind or ice, such as pebbles or sand.

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

The gradual recycling of rocks over millions of years.

Organic matter comes from living organisms. It contains carbon atoms as the main framework of compounds to which hydrogen atoms can attach.

Plankton are microscopic, aquatic plants and animals.

Decomposition is the break down of dead and decaying matter.

Hydrocarbons are molecules made up of hydrogen and carbon atoms only.

Fossil fuels are formed over millions of years from the dead remains of organisms.

a layer of gases that surrounds a planet and may contain small amounts of solid and liquid particles

a combination of two or more substances that are physically mixed and can be separated

a chemical process that uses oxygen from the air and glucose to provide energy for life processes

an insoluble solid formed when two solutions react together

a compound with molecules that each contain one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms

a compound with molecules that each contain one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms

a gas that contributes to global warming by reducing the amount of radiation leaving Earth’s atmosphere

the increase in Earth’s global temperature, likely caused by higher levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

the process by which carbon is transferred between the atmosphere, organisms, and Earth

the process in which energy from sunlight converts carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen

a chemical process in cells that breaks down glucose from food to release energy for life processes

an exothermic chemical reaction in which a substance reacts with oxygen, releasing heat to the surroundings

the breakdown of dead organic matter by microorganisms

Carbon cycle and climate change

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