New
New
Weathering and rocks
I can explain the different types of weathering.
Lesson 5 of 13
New
New
- Year 8
Weathering and rocks
I can explain the different types of weathering.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- There are three types of weathering; biological, chemical and physical weathering.
- Biological weathering is when rocks are broken up by the roots of plants or from animals burrowing into them.
- Chemical weathering is when rocks are broken up by acids in rainwater or when air reacts with minerals in the rocks.
- Physical weathering is when rocks are broken up by changes in temperature, such as when ice forces apart cracks in rock.
Keywords
Biological - relating to living organisms
Chemical - relating to the interaction of substances
Weathering - the process of being worn down by long exposure to the atmosphere
Common misconception
Weathering and erosion are the same process.
Students will be informed that erosion is the process of Earth’s surface, e.g. rock or soil, being worn away and transported from its original site, whereas weathering is the process of wearing or being worn by long exposure to the atmosphere.
If teaching this lesson in person, you could bring in small rock samples or use a visual demonstration to show how weathering works. For example, use sugar cubes to illustrate chemical weathering by dissolving them in vinegar or place wet sponges in a freezer to mimic freeze-thaw weathering.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is geology?
What is geology?
The study of plants and animals
The study of stars and planets
The study of weather
Q2.Which type of rock forms from cooling lava or magma?
Which type of rock forms from cooling lava or magma?
Metamorphic
Sedimentary
Fossil rock
Q3.What is soil made from?
What is soil made from?
Only dead plants
Only tiny bits of rock
Just sand and water
Q4.Why is geology important in our daily lives?
Why is geology important in our daily lives?
It is only important for scientists
It only affects people who live near mountains
It has no impact on humans
Q5.Which process helps recycle rocks over millions of years?
Which process helps recycle rocks over millions of years?
The water cycle
Fossilisation
Erosion
Q6.Put these units of geological time in order; longest to shortest.
Put these units of geological time in order; longest to shortest.
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.How do weathering and erosion differ?
How do weathering and erosion differ?
Weathering and erosion both break down rocks in the same way
Erosion happens first, then weathering
Only erosion affects landscapes over time
Q2.Which of these is not a type of weathering?
Which of these is not a type of weathering?
Physical weathering
Chemical weathering
Biological weathering
Q3.What is an example of physical weathering?
What is an example of physical weathering?
Rocks dissolving in acid rain
Plants growing in cracks in rocks
Lava cooling to form new rock
Q4.Why is weathering important?
Why is weathering important?
It makes rocks harder
It creates new landforms instantly
It prevents erosion from happening
