Rocks and Soils
Key Vocabulary
Key Vocabulary
Vocabulary
Vocabulary
Definition
Definition
Volcano
Volcano
A mountain that contains magma from the Earth’s crust.
A mountain that contains magma from the Earth’s crust.
Erosion
Erosion
How the Earth’s surface gets broken down by wind and water.
How the Earth’s surface gets broken down by wind and water.
Permeable
Permeable
An object that allows liquid or gases to pass through.
An object that allows liquid or gases to pass through.
Impermeable
Impermeable
Does not allow liquid or gases to pass through. An objects that is waterproof.
Does not allow liquid or gases to pass through. An objects that is waterproof.
Sand
Sand
Tiny grains of rock, often yellow or brown.
Tiny grains of rock, often yellow or brown.
Gravel
Gravel
Small stones mixed with coarse sand.
Small stones mixed with coarse sand.
Clay
Clay
A sticky kind of soil that can be made into pottery.
A sticky kind of soil that can be made into pottery.
What is soil made from?
What is soil made from?
Air
Air
This is present in soil and is very important in breaking down organic matter.
This is present in soil and is very important in breaking down organic matter.
Living Organisms
Living Organisms
These live in the soil and help to break it down.
These live in the soil and help to break it down.
Organic matter
Organic matter
This is the remains of dead plants and animals and is broken down to make fine soil.
This is the remains of dead plants and animals and is broken down to make fine soil.
Minerals
Minerals
These come from broken down rock.
These come from broken down rock.
Types of Rock
Types of Rock
There are three main types of rock: Igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic.
There are three main types of rock: Igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic.
They are all created differently so they all have different properties.
They are all created differently so they all have different properties.
Rock Type
Rock Type
Picture
Picture
Description
Description
Examples
Examples
Sedimentary
Sedimentary
Made from millions of years of small particles falling, which then create layers. Eventually, these layers are crushed to form more solid rock.
Made from millions of years of small particles falling, which then create layers. Eventually, these layers are crushed to form more solid rock.
Chalk, coal, sandstone, limestone.
Chalk, coal, sandstone, limestone.
Igneous
Igneous
Rocks that have solidified from lava or magma. These rocks all come from volcanoes.
Rocks that have solidified from lava or magma. These rocks all come from volcanoes.
Granite, basalt.
Granite, basalt.
Metyamorphic
Metyamorphic
Rock that has changed from one form to another, due to pressure or heat.
Rock that has changed from one form to another, due to pressure or heat.
Marble, slate.
Marble, slate.
What is a fossil?
What is a fossil?
Fossils are the impressions or the remains left behind of an animal or plant from prehistoric times.
Fossils are the impressions or the remains left behind of an animal or plant from prehistoric times.
Fossils are usually found embedded in rock.
Fossils are usually found embedded in rock.
Watch the video or click here
Watch the video or click here
to find out more about fossils!
to find out more about fossils!
Manmade Rocks
Manmade Rocks
Did you know some rocks are manmade?
Did you know some rocks are manmade?
Most rocks are natural. This means they are formed by nature and not made by human beings. However, there are some rocks that are created by humans to do specific jobs.
Most rocks are natural. This means they are formed by nature and not made by human beings. However, there are some rocks that are created by humans to do specific jobs.
Bricks
Bricks
Bricks are clay, soil, sand or lime that has been air dried or fire heated. They are used to build large structures like houses and other buildings.
Bricks are clay, soil, sand or lime that has been air dried or fire heated. They are used to build large structures like houses and other buildings.
Concrete
Concrete
Concrete is a mixture of water, sand, gravel and cement It is used to make hard surfaces like pavements or it can be used like a glue to hold things in place (like fences).
Concrete is a mixture of water, sand, gravel and cement It is used to make hard surfaces like pavements or it can be used like a glue to hold things in place (like fences).
Think you know it all? Take the quiz!
Think you know it all? Take the quiz!