Senior High School

Earth & Life

Science
Quarter 1
Self-Learning Module 3:
Classification & Properties of Rocks

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Earth and Life Science Senior High School
Self-Learning Module
Quarter 1 – Module 3: Classification and Properties of Rocks
Second Edition, 2021

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Published by the Department of Education

Schools Division Superintendent: Gladys Amylaine D. Sales CESO VI
Assistant Schools Division Superintendent: Peter J. Galimba PhD
Development Team of the Self Learning Module

Writer: Ivy C. Tabino and Leemar V. Balongcas

Editor: Christy Ann G. Banguanga
Reviewers: Gemma D. Pabular, Edna Rose P. Gueco
Illustrator:
Layout Artist: Ivy C. Tabino, Gemma D. Pabular
Management Team: Janalyn B. Navarro
Edna Rose P. Gueco
Ellen G. Dela Cruz

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 I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
identifying common rock-forming minerals using their physical and chemical
properties (S11/12ES-Ia-9), classify rocks into igneous, sedimentary, and
metamorphic(S11/12ES-Ib-10), explain how the products of weathering are
carried away by erosion and deposited elsewhere. (S11/12ES-Ib-12).

The scope of this module allows you to use it in many different learning
situations. The language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of students.
The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence of the course. But the order
in which you read them can be changed to correspond with the textbook you are now
using.

After going through this module, you are expected to

1. identify common rock-forming minerals using their physical and
chemical properties,
2. classify rocks into igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic; and
3. explain how the product of weathering are carried away by erosion and
deposited elsewhere.

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 Rocks and Minerals

Lesson Overview
Mineral — a naturally occurring (not man-made or machine generated), inorganic
(not a by-product of living things) solid with an orderly crystalline structure and made
up of one or several chemical elements with a definite chemical composition. Minerals
are the building blocks of rocks. They cannot be broken down into smaller units with
different chemical composition in the way the rocks can.

Physical Properties of Rocks

Property Definition
1. Luster It is the quality and intensity of reflected light exhibited by the
mineral.
a. Metallic - generally opaque exhibit a resplendent shine like a
polished metal
b. Non-metallic - vitreous (glassy), adamantine (brilliant/diamond-like),
resinous, silky, pearly, dull (earthy), greasy, among
others.
2. Hardness It is a measure of the resistance of a mineral (not specifically
surface) to scratching. The harder the mineral, the greater is
its resistance to scratching.
3. Crystal form/habit It refers to the characteristic shape of a mineral unit.
4. Color It is one of the most obvious characteristics of a mineral, but
generally not the most useful diagnostic feature. A lot of
minerals can exhibit same or similar colors, but a small
amount of impurity can drastically alter a mineral’s color.
5. Streak It is the mineral’s color in powdered form. It is inherent in
almost every mineral and is a more diagnostic property
compared to color. Note that the color of a mineral can be
different from its streak.
6. Cleavage It is the ability of mineral to break along preferred planes.
When minerals break evenly in more than one direction,
cleavage is described by the number of cleavage directions,
the angle(s) at which they meet, and the quality of cleavage.
7. Specific Gravity It is the ratio of the density of the mineral and the density of
water, also known as the “heaviness” of the mineral.

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 Chemical Properties of Minerals

Every mineral contains a defined ratio of specific molecules in its structure.

The most stable and least ambiguous basis for classification of minerals is
based on their chemical compositions.

ELEMENT ELEMENT ELEMENT ELEMENT ELEMENT ELEMENT ELEMENT

+ SiO4 + O2 + SO4 +S2 + CO3 +
Halogens
Native Silicate Oxide Sulfate Sulfide Carbonate Halide
Gold Quartz Hematite Gypsum Pyrite Calcite Chlorine
Bismuth Olivine Magnetite Barite Galena Dolomite Fluorine
Diamond Talc Chromite Anhydrite Bornite Malachite Halite

Minerals Definition
1. Silicates minerals containing the two most abundant elements in the Earth’s crust,
namely, silicon and oxygen
2. Oxides minerals composed of oxygen anion combined with metal ions.
3. Sulfates minerals containing sulfur and oxygen in the form of the (SO4) – anion
4. Sulfides minerals containing sulfur and a metal; some sulfides are sources of
economically important metals such as copper, lead, and zinc.
5. Carbonates minerals containing the carbonate combined with other elements.
6. Halides minerals containing halogen elements combined with one or more
metals

Rocks are natural substances consisting of aggregate minerals clumped together

with other Earth materials through natural processes.

When it comes to the composition of the Earth, three main classifications of

rock come into play. These are metamorphic rock, sedimentary rock, and igneous
rock.

Types of Rocks Description Examples

Derived from the Latin word ignis

. Igneous Rocks meaning “fire”. Igneous rocks are
crystalized from magma or molten or
partially molten volcanic materials that
came from within the Earth

a. Intrusive formed when magma cools and Granite

igneous rock solidifies within small pockets Gabbro
contained within the planet’s crust. Diorite

b. Extrusive rocks are the result of magma pouring onto andesite, basalt,
the surface of the planet and cooling obsidian, pumice,
rhyolite, scoria, and
tuff.
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 Sedimentary from the root word sediments which mean
Rocks “remaining particles”) are rocks that (have
formed from the deposition of different
materials on Earth’s surface. They come
from pre-existing rocks or pieces of dead
organisms that have been “lithified” or
cemented together by natural processes.

a. Clastic are formed from mechanical weathering sandstone,

sedimentary debris. siltstone, and shale
rocks are formed when dissolved materials
precipitate from solution.

b. Chemical are formed from the accumulation of plant rock salt, iron ore,
sedimentary or animal debris. chert, flint, some
rocks dolomites, and
some limestones

c. Organic formed from the accumulation of plant or coal, some

sedimentary animal debris dolomites, and
rocks some limestones
Metamorphic Derived from the words meta means
Rocks “change” and morph means “form”.
They are rocks that derived from
igneous or sedimentary rocks that were
exposed to high pressure, high
temperature, or a combination of both,
deep below the surface of Earth.

a. Foliated have a layered or banded appearance gneiss, phyllite,

metamorphic that is produced by exposure to heat schist, and slate
rocks and directed pressure

b. Non-foliated are formed around igneous intrusions hornfels, marble,

metamorphic where the temperatures are high, but quartzite, slate
rocks the pressures are relatively low and
equal in all directions (confining
pressure)

These three types of rocks are created and

destroyed in the rock cycle- first type—igneous—
forms from magma. Magma rises to Earth's
surface, such as through a volcanic eruption,
where it cools and hardens into igneous rock, but
temperature and pressure may change it into
metamorphic rock. Furthermore, metamorphic, and
sedimentary rocks thrust deep underground
through subduction may eventually melt to form
magma and cool into igneous rock once again. The
entire process is called the Rock Cycle.

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 Weathering and Erosion

Weathering
Weathering is the mechanical and chemical hammer that breaks down and
sculpts rock.
There are two kinds of weathering:
1. Mechanical weathering or physical weathering
refers to the breakdown into smaller pieces of
rocks without a change in its composition. The
usual agents of mechanical weathering are
pressure, temperature, freezing/thawing cycle of
water, plant or animal activity, and salt
evaporation.

Physical Weathering

Processes That Can Cause Physical Weathering

a. Pressure Expansion. Bedrock buried deep within the Earth is under high
pressure and temperature. When uplift and erosion bring bedrock to the
surface, its temperature drops slowly, while its pressure drops immediately.
The sudden pressure drop causes the rock to rapidly expand and crack.
b. Root wedging. This happens when plant roots work themselves into cracks,
prying the bedrock apart as they grow.
c. Salt expansion. This occurs in areas of high evaporation on near-marine
environments. Evaporation causes salts to precipitate out of solution and grow
and expand into cracks in rock.

2. Chemical weathering is the

process by which rocks break
down by chemical reactions
occurring between the minerals in
rocks and the environment. One
mineral change into a different
mineral.
Some types of rocks are easily
weathered by chemicals, like
carbon carbonate (CaCO3). A
chemical reaction takes place when calcium carbonate comes in contact with acid
rain, dissolving it, and produces a new substance called calcium bicarbonate.
Chemical weathering is the key factor in the formation of caves and caverns. It can
also hollow out caves and damage cliffs.
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Erosion

Erosion involves the movement of the

weathered rock (now soil, sand and pebbles)
from their site of weathering by the agents of
erosion such as water, wind, gravity, or ice.
Erosion always follows after the weathering.
Liquid water is the main agent of erosion.
Gravity and mass wasting processes move
rocks and sediment to new locations. Gravity
and ice, in the form of glaciers, move large rock
fragments as well as fine sediment. Figure 4. Erosion

Transport makes erosion complete because it involves the movement of the

eroded materials and sediments. Weathering can continue during transport.

Transport by Water

Rainwater is the most important force or agent of erosion. Rock materials are
loosened by heavy rains and strong winds and they can come speeding down slopes,
sweeping everything in its path.

Transport by Wind

Wind blows away loose particles of rocks and soil from place to place. This is
common in dry areas such as deserts. The wind can create sandstorms that contain
dust particles and deposit them in wide areas.

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 I Will Do
Activity 1: Identify that Rock!

Materials:
pen answer sheet

Procedure
Classify the following rocks as to Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic. Write your
answer in a separate sheet of paper.

Different Types of Rocks

Basalt Conglomerate Gneiss Granite Gypsum

Limestone Marble Obsidian Sandstone Slate

Igneous Sedimentary Metamorphic

Analysis Questions:
1. What is the color and appearance of the rocks in each group?
a. Color _______________________________________________
b. Appearance__________________________________________

2. Which type of rock (igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic) is mostly found

around place? What do you think is the reason?
__________________________________________________________
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 I Will Practice

Matching type: Match column A (use/s of rocks) with column B (type of rocks)

Column A Column B

1. It is used for decorative gardening stones and

a good roofing material. A.

marble

2. Important material to improve soil for farming. B.

slate

3. Can even be ground down and used in soaps and cleaning

products

C.

limestone

4. Can be a rich source of iron and it is commonly

used as an ingredient of concrete. D.

basalt

5. Used for the facades of buildings for expensive

kitchen tops and gravestones. E.

granite

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 I Will Apply

Direction: Record the cause of the following types of mechanical weathering and its
effect to rocks. Write the letter that corresponds to the statement in your answer
sheet.
Cause Effect
A. High pressure and temperature within the D. Rock rapidly expands and crack
Earth E. Prying the bedrock as they grow
B. Plant root work into cracks F. Salts expand into cracks in rock
C. High evaporation on near- marine
environment

Cause Effect

PRESSURE EXPANSION
____ ____

ROOT WEDGING
____ ____

SALT EXPANSION
____ ____

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 Module 3: Classification and Properties of Rocks

I Will Do I Will Practice

Igneous Sedimentary Metamorphic 1. B

Basalt Conglomerate Gneiss 2. C
Granite Gypsum Marble 3. A
Obsidian Limestone Slate 4. D
Sandstone 5. E

I Will Apply
Cause Effect

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 References
Bayo-ang, Roly B. Earth and Life Science for Senior High School, 1st ed. Quezon City:
Educational Resources Corporation, 2016.

"Earth Science Teaching: Lesson Plans, Classroom Activities." Geology and Earth
Science News, Articles, Photos, Maps and More. Accessed September 7, 2021.
https://geology.com/teacher/?fbclid=IwAR2pCr5pGjof6U7JbgYpbs4jAxahiNyWn
sDqxLkQcCklqRJYYCR0fLHok.

"How to Identify a Mineral." Instructables. Last modified July 28, 2014.

https://www.instructables.com/How-to-identify-a-Mineral/.

"How to Make a Hikaru Dorodango, or Shining Ball of Mud." WikiHow. Last modified
February 17, 2009. https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Hikaru-Dorodango,-or-
Shining-Ball-of-Mud.

"Igneous Rocks: How Are They Formed?" Universe Today. Last modified December
21, 2015. https://www.universetoday.com/82009/how-are-igneous-rocks-
formed/.

"Laboratory Manual for Physical Geology – Mineral Identification." n.d.

https://gln.dcccd.edu.

Mangali, Glen R. Earth and Life Science, 1st ed. Makati: DIWA LEARNING SYSTEMS
INC, 2016.

"Mindat.org." Mindat.org - Mines, Minerals and More. Accessed September 10, 2021.
https://www.mindat.org/glossary/rockforming_mineral.

Monroe, James S., and Reed Wicander. Physical Geology: Exploring the Earth, 6th ed.
Pacific Grove: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company, 2007.

"Obsidian.jpg." Accessed May 10, 2020. https://commons.wikimedia.org.

"Rocks Questions for Tests and Worksheets - Page 7." HelpTeaching.com - Free
Printable K-12 Worksheets. Accessed September 7, 2021.
https://www.helpteaching.com/questions/Rocks?pageNum=7&fbclid=IwAR2p0R
PutrzTNe0sO-chV9lm2n8ZQpaiF4dpPDLLIzn1QUXDQLGRlq9uxlQ.

"Sedimentary Rocks." Columbia University in the City of New York. Accessed

September 7, 2021. https://www.columbia.edu/~vjd1/sed_rx.htm.

St. John, James. "Andesite_2013.jpg." Accessed May 10, 2020.

https://commons.wikimedia.org.

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 Written Assessment No. 3 Worksheet
Name: ________________________________ Grade & Section: ___________

Concept Check

Part I. Multiple Choice.

Read each item carefully. Encircle the letter of the best answer.

1. Rocks formed from hot, molten rock material that cooled and hardened
are ___________.
A. igneous C. minerals
B. metamorphic D. sedimentary

2. This type of rock is often formed in layers.

A. extrusive C. metamorphic
B. igneous D. sedimentary

3. It refers to the light reflected from the surface of a mineral

A. color C. specific gravity
B. luster D. streak

4. How can an igneous rock become a metamorphic rock?

A. When it melts and forms magma
B. When it disintegrates into smaller pieces
C. When it undergoes weathering and erosion
D. When it is subjected to high temperature and pressure

5. What processes can occur in the rock cycle?

A. heat and pressure C. cooling and solidification
B. weathering and erosion D. all of the aforementioned

6. The process of breaking down rocks into smaller pieces or changing its
chemical composition
A. deposition C. transport
B. erosion D. weathering

7. It is the most abundant element in the earth’s crust.

A. Calcium C. Oxygen
B. Magnesium D. Sodium

8. Which is the most obvious characteristic of a mineral

A. Color C. Specific gravity
B. Size D. Streak

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 9. What is the role of water in chemical weathering of rocks?
A. It fertilizes the rock.
B. It washes out the dirt in rocks.
C. It hydrates and breaks the minerals on the rocks.
D. It combines with metals in the minerals of rocks to form carbonates.

10. Which of the following is an example of mechanical/physical weathering?

A. acid rain
B. chemical in the air
C. Oxygen and carbon dioxide
D. tree roots growing in cracks of rocks

Part II. Answer briefly the questions below.

1. What are the characteristics that define a mineral?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
2. Differentiate a mineral’s streak from its color. Why is streak more reliable
for rock identification?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
3. How do mechanical and chemical weathering occur?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

Part III. Reflection:

1. Soil is an essential component for life to exist on this Earth. What is the
effect of soil erosion to human and animal survival? What will you do to
protect the community for the detrimental effect of soil erosion?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

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 Key Answer to Concept Check

FOR TEACHER’S USE ONLY. Do not attach this portion to the SLM for students

Multiple Choice
1. A 6. D
2. D 7. C
3. B 8. A
4. D 9. C
5. D 10.D
Part II. Answers (learner may use own words but these should be the idea)
1. A mineral is inorganic, naturally occuring, crystalline, solid and have a
definite chemical composition.
2. Streak is the color of a mineral in powdered form. It is more reliable
because it is inherent to most minerals. Color is not reliable because
mineral can be formed with varieties of color with respect to the amount of
impurities present or as an effect of weathering.
3. Mechanical weathering occurs when water enters into every crack in the
rock. This can be hastened by activities of plants, borrowing animals, and
by people.
Chemical weathering occurs when the internal structure of a mineral is
changed by the removal or addtition of elements. Water is an important
agent of chemical weathering.

Part III.
Reflection

Answers may vary. Thoughts may include but not limited to:
(a) Effect: damage to or loss of livelihood; damage to or loss of lives;
(b) Will do to protect the community: stop the practice of kaingin method, illegal
logging, burning of grasslands, minimize or stop mining acticities, and
minimize building of infrastructure in slopy areas.

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