Physical properties of rocks: hardness
I can compare and group different rocks by investigating their hardness.
- Year 3
Physical properties of rocks: hardness
I can compare and group different rocks by investigating their hardness.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The physical properties of a material are its features that can be observed or measured.
- Hardness is a physical property of rocks.
- Rocks can be compared and grouped on the basis of their hardness.
Keywords
Rock - Rock is a solid material that occurs naturally in Earth.
Physical properties - Physical properties are the features which can be observed from the way an object looks or feels or can be measured.
Hardness - Hardness is the quality of being difficult to bend, cut, or break.
Compare - To compare is to examine or look for the difference between two or more things.
Group - To group things is to put similar things together.
Common misconception
Pupils may believe that all rocks are hard. Also that if a rock is heavy it is therefore hard.
Share a wide range of rocks the children can handle to explore the property of hardness so they realise some rocks are much softer than others.
Equipment
See additional guidance.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
- Exploration of objects
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the objects to the material it is often made from.
Q2.Which of these describe a physical property of a material?
Q3.If you wanted to observe a rock more closely which of these pieces of equipment could you use?
Q4.Which of these statements describes a rock?
Q5.When we compare rocks, we observe and differences to be able to group them together.
Q6.We can work like a scientist to carry out an to find answers to questions.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The physical properties of rock are features that can be observed or ...
Q2.Which of these are physical properties of rocks you might observe or measure?
Q3.__________ rocks are hard. Fill in the gap.
Q4.Which of the rocks named below can be grouped as hard?
Q5.Which of these investigations would show if a rock was hard or not?
Q6.Match the object to the most suitable rock.
