Weathering Experiments Chemical and Mechanical Weathering Lesson and Activities

Mechanical and chemical weathering can be difficult for students to understand. It can be even more difficult to find hands on science experiments and activity for physical and chemical weathering. Find chemical and mechanical experiments, hands-on activities, and entire lesson in this easy to use resource.

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This eighteen page download has teacher directions, foldable notes for mechanical and chemical weathering (2 versions – one that uses physical weathering instead of mechanical weathering), graphic organizers, three hands on investigations (abrasion, water, and acid rain), real world application page, higher order thinking question discussion cards, four versions of exit slips, a standards mastery checklist, and answer keys. You won’t need anything else to teach physical and chemical weathering of rocks with this resource!

Resource Includes:

• Teacher Directions Page
• List of Materials Needed
• Mechanical and Chemical Weathering Changes Foldable Notes (2 options)
• Chemical and Mechanical Weathering Graphic Organizers
• Mechanical Weathering Investigation: Weathering by Abrasion
• Mechanical Weathering Experiment: Weathering by Water
• Chemical Weathering Experiment: Acid Rain
• Weathering Real World Application Activity
• Higher Order Thinking Question Discussion Cards
• Exit Slips: 4 options
• Mastery Checklist
• Answer Keys

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Standards Covered: 

• Florida: SC.6.E.6.1 Describe and give examples of ways in which Earth’s surface is built up and torn down by physical and chemical weathering, erosion, and deposition.
• Next Generation Science Standards: HS-ESS2-5 Plan and conduct an investigation of the properties of water and its effects on Earth materials and surface processes. (Emphasis is on mechanical and chemical investigations with water and a variety of solid materials to provide the evidence for connections between the hydrologic cycle and system interactions commonly known as the rock cycle. Examples of mechanical investigations include stream transportation and deposition using a steam table, erosion using variations in soil moisture content, or frost wedging by the expansion of water as it freezes. Examples of chemical investigations include chemical weathering and recrystallization or melt generation.
• Texas: SCI.7.8.C The student knows that natural event and human activity can impact Earth system. The student is expected to analyze the effects of weathering, erosion, and deposition on the environment in ecoregions of Texas
• Virginia: 5.8.d The student will investigate and understand that Earth constantly changes. Key ideas include processes such as weathering, erosion, and deposition change the surface of the Earth