Demonstrating Chemical Weathering

Rocks are not only changed by water, wind, and ice but can also be changed by chemicals. Chemical weathering is the process by which the actual minerals that rocks are made of are changed. Chemical weathering can cause minerals to decompose and even dissolved. Examples of chemical weathering include how acid rain can change the appearance of a rock statue and the way salty ocean water wears away cliffs.

Acid rain damaged gargoyle by Nino Barbieri is licensed under CC 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

In this activity, you will demonstrate how chemical weathering occurs in sedimentary rocks. Through this activity, you will get to know how acid can result in the breaking down of rocks and how it forms new rock minerals.

Chemical Weathering Learning Objectives:

At the end of this laboratory activity, students are expected to:

• Describe chemical weathering in sedimentary rocks.
• Explain how the process of chemical weathering change a mineral.

Laboratory Proper:

Materials

• Clear plastic jar with lid
• Vinegar
• Chalk
• Goggles
  

Procedure:

1. Safety Alert! Wear your goggles on. When pouring the vinegar, be careful not to spill any on you and do not put your face directly over the jar.
   
2. Place a piece of chalk in the bottom of a clear plastic jar. This chalk represents sedimentary rocks.
   
3. Carefully pour vinegar into the jar until it complete soak the chalk. The vinegar represents the acid rain.
   
4. Cover the jar with its lid.
   
5. Watch closely and observe what is happening to the chalk as well as inside the jar.

Chemical Weathering Activity:

Students record their predictions and results of the lab activity. Once the activity is finished, discuss the lab activity and answer post-lab questions.

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Students must come up with a unanimous answer for each question. Discussing the answers usually, results in some excellent dialogue on this topic.

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• 6-1 Laboratory Activity SE - Chemical Weathering (Docx)
• 6-1 Laboratory Activity SE - Chemical Weathering (PDF)
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• 6-1 Laboratory Activity TE - Chemical Weathering (PDF) - (Member Only Join Now!)

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Chemical Weathering - PDFs

• 6-1 Vocabulary Worksheet TE - Chemical Weathering ( Members Only )
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• 6-1 Lesson Plan - Chemical Weathering (FREE)
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• 6-1 Laboratory Activity SE - Chemical Weathering (FREE)
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• 6-1 Exit Quiz TE - Chemical Weathering ( Members Only )
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• 6-1 Assignment SE - Chemical Weathering (FREE)

Chemical Weathering Worksheets - Word Docs & PowerPoints

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Unit 2 – Our Solar System

• 6-1 Chemical Weathering
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• 6-3 Agents of Erosion
• 6-4 The Erosion Cycle
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