GRADE V
BREAKING OF ROCKS
At the end of the module, you should be able to:
Identify the agents of weathering,
Explain how the action of wind, water, and sun contribute to rock weathering
Infer that continuous weathering leads to the formation of soil.
Try
TrytotoRecall
Recall
Match the rock in column A with description in column B. Write only the letter of the
answer in your notebook.
1. sedimentary rock a. Rock formed from molten rock
2. sandstone b. Rock formed from other rocks
3. igneous rock c. Shale is an example of this kind
of rock.
4. metamorphic rock d. Rock formed from limestone.
5. marble e. Rock formed from pressed sand.
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Explore
Explore
Have you ever wondered where soil comes from? Find out how rocks turn into soil.
Activity 1
1. Prepare the following
small and soft rock samples
glass jar half-filled with water
piece of clean cloth
rubber band
jar lid
2. Put the rock samples inside the glass jar half-filled with water. Cover the jar tightly
with the jar lid.
3. Shake the contents of the jar for about two minutes.
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4. Remove the glass jar lid. Replace it with the piece of cloth. Keep it in place with the
rubber band.
5. Turn the glass jar upside down to let the water in the jar flow through the piece of
cloth.
6. When there is no more water in the jar, remove the piece of cloth and examine the
rock samples inside. Record your observations in your notebook.
7. Answer the following questions in your notebook
a. What happened to the rock samples that you placed inside the glass jar?
b. Where did the small particles left in the glass jar come from?
c. What caused the rock to break in to smaller pieces?
d. Do the small particles look the same as the soil?
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Activity 2
In this activity, you will observe how people, animals, and plants break down rocks in
to soil.
1. Go out and observe rocks you find in the areas.
2. Look around a garden and find plants that grow in rocks.
3. Observe how the roots of the plants anchor themselves in the rocks.
4. Observe a place what is often frequented by people and animals.
5. Record your observations in your notebook.
Answer the following questions:
1. What happened to the rocks on which the plants growing?
2. Do you think roots break down? How?
3. How do the rocks look in the place people and animals? Why?
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Activity 3
1. Prepare the following
Samples of soft rocks such as limestone, sandstone, and shale
basin
cold water
tongs
candle
safety matches
2. Take one rock sample and note its appearance.
3. Using the tongs, grip the rock then put over the flame of the lightened candle
for about one minute.
4. Observe what happens to the rock.
5. Put the rock over the flame again for about one minute, then drop it into the
cold water.
6. Take the rock out of the water, wipe it dry, then examine its appearance.
7. Repeat steps 2 to 6 with the other samples.
8. Record your observations in your notebook.
9. Answer the following questions:
a. What happened to each rock example when you applied heat on it?
b. What happened to each heated rock when placed in water?
c. Did the rock change in appearance? Why?
d. What is the effect of heating and cooling on rocks?
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Read and learn more.
Rocks are hard, compact and solid. As time goes by, they
continuously break into small pieces, because of a process called weathering.
In weathering a rock may produce other new substance. Continues breaking
of formalism of soil.
There are factors that cause rock to break. These factors include heat,
air, water, plants, animals and people. They are called agents of erosion
Plants may break down rocks. Some
plants grow on rocks. The roots of
some plants may find their way into
cracks in rocks. As the roots grow
bigger, the cracks become wider
causing the rock to break apart. Aside
from this, when they die and decay,
they give off acid which slowly breaks
them down.
People and animals also help to break of
rocks. Some of the activities of men that
help in breaking rocks are digging
mountains and rocky places for mining
and quarrying activities. Animals
breakdown rocks with their claws and
hooves as they move around. Their waste
help in the decay of rocks.
Weather elements also help in breaking
down rocks at daytime. The alternate
heating and cooling of rocks for a long
time cause them to break apart. When the
wind blows, it picks up sand and hurls
them against the rocks, as they hit the
rocks, the rocks wear away. Fast moving
water carrying soil and bigger ocean
waves crash onto the shore and pound
against big rocks causing them to break
down into smaller pieces. These are only
some of the forces that help in breaking
down of rocks.
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I HAVE LEARNED THAT:
Weathering is the process of breaking of rocks.
The agent of weathering are people, animals, plants, weather elements e.g. air, water,
heat.
Continuing weathering of rock leads to soil formation
Apply
ApplyItIt
Read each situation below then answer the questions. Write the answers in your
notebook.
1. Your father bought a hundred pieces of concrete hollow blocks for a renovation job
your house. Where do you think should he store them to preserve their strength?
Why?
2. The manager of a quarrying firm visited your barangay and expressed his intention to
conduct quarrying business in your place. He promised to give donations to the
people of your barangay once he is permitted to operate this business. As a member
of the community, will you go for it? Why?
Test Yourself
A. Answer each question below. Choose the answer from the given option.
Write only the letter of the answer in your notebook.
1. Which activity of people contributes to the break down of rocks?
A. fishing C. studying
B. mining D. sky diving
2. How do the roots of plants break down rocks?
A. They split rocks apart.
B. They heat rocks.
C. They leave minerals on rocks.
D. They absorb rock particles.
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3. How does temperature break down rocks?
A. Rocks break when they are cooled.
B. Rocks break when they are heated.
C. Rocks break when they are not exposed to water.
D. Rocks break when they are heated then cooled.
4. Some animals like rats, rabbits and moles dig up the soil to or to find food.
How do this contribute to the break down of rocks?
A. The food that these animals bring underground causes rocks to break.
B. The digging action breaks the rocks into smaller pieces.
C. The digging exposes small rocks to sunlight.
D. Animals staying in causes the soil’s of temperature to rise.
5. What is the process by which water, people and animals wear away bits of
rocks?
A. erosion C. mountain building
B. weathering D. fermenting
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Key to Correction
Test Yourself
1. B
2. A
3. D
4. B
5. B