3.1.1
Rocks
Rocks
Rocks
The Earth is a rocky planet. Rocky planets are made of rock.


Rock
Rock
- Rock is mostly a hard, solid, natural substance made of chemicals called minerals.
- It is hot enough inside the Earth for rock to be a liquid (magma).


Different types of rock
Different types of rock
- Rocks on earth come in different kinds and have different properties.
- The word 'properties' means the things we can see or measure in a material.
Describing Rocks
Describing Rocks
You need to look at different properties when describing rocks. The word 'properties' means the things we can see or measure in a material.


Texture
Texture
- Is the rock smooth, rough, crumbly, knobbly, spiky?


Appearance
Appearance
- Is the rock shiny, dull, mottled, striped, coloured, black?


Hardness
Hardness
- You can test the hardness of a rock by trying to make a scratch on its surface.
- Try to scratch one rock with another to see which is harder.
- The softer rock is easier to scratch.


Permeability
Permeability
- Permeable substances let water go into or through them.
- A school sweatshirt is permeable (it lets water through).
- A plastic raincoat is impermeable (it does NOT let water through).
- Test the permeability of a rock by pouring water on to it.
- Look to see if the water soaks in or runs off.


Sorting rocks
Sorting rocks
- You can sort rocks into different groups using their properties.
- A table is a good way to record how you have sorted the rocks.
1Year 3: Plants
2Year 3: Animals (Including Humans)
3Year 3: Rocks
3.1Rocks on Earth
4Year 3: Light
4.1What is Light?
5Year 3: Forces & Magnets
6Year 4: Living Things & Their Habitats
6.1Grouping Animals
6.4Grouping Plants
6.5Classification Keys
7Year 4: Animals, Including Humans
7.1Teeth
7.2Digestion
8Year 4: States of Matter
8.1The 3 States of Matter
8.2The Water Cycle
9Year 4: Sound
9.1How Do I Hear?
9.2Pitch
10Year 4: Electricity
10.1Uses of Electricity
10.2Conductors & Insulators
10.3Making Circuits
Jump to other topics
1Year 3: Plants
2Year 3: Animals (Including Humans)
3Year 3: Rocks
3.1Rocks on Earth
4Year 3: Light
4.1What is Light?
5Year 3: Forces & Magnets
6Year 4: Living Things & Their Habitats
6.1Grouping Animals
6.4Grouping Plants
6.5Classification Keys
7Year 4: Animals, Including Humans
7.1Teeth
7.2Digestion
8Year 4: States of Matter
8.1The 3 States of Matter
8.2The Water Cycle
9Year 4: Sound
9.1How Do I Hear?
9.2Pitch
10Year 4: Electricity
10.1Uses of Electricity
10.2Conductors & Insulators
10.3Making Circuits
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