Earth structure and the rock cycle
Beneath your feet, rock is being endlessly recycled over millions of years, driven by heat, pressure and the weather.
Part of your national curriculum
- Chemistry: Earth and atmosphere: Understand the composition of the Earth and its atmosphere, and the rock cycle and the formation of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Understand the composition of the Earth and its atmosphere, and the rock cycle and the formation of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks
Key learning points
- • Earth's structure and atmosphere
- • Three rock types
- • The rock cycle
This lesson at a glance
- 26 minutes
- 17 parts to scroll through
- 3 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 17
Visual introductionPicture this
Earth structure and the rock cycle
Beneath your feet, rock is being endlessly recycled over millions of years, driven by heat, pressure and the weather.
In a nutshell
Understand the composition of the Earth and its atmosphere, and the rock cycle and the formation of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 17
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · Earth's structure and atmosphere
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 17
Learn
Earth's structure and atmosphere
The Earth has a thin rocky crust, a mostly solid mantle, and a core made largely of iron and nickel (liquid outer, solid inner). The current atmosphere is roughly 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, with small amounts of carbon dioxide, argon and water vapour.
Reset break
Part 4 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Explore the idea
Part 5 of 17
Learn
Three rock types
Igneous rock forms when molten magma or lava cools and solidifies, e.g. granite or basalt. Sedimentary rock forms when layers of sediment are compacted and cemented together over time, e.g. sandstone or limestone, often containing fossils. Metamorphic rock forms when existing rock is changed by heat and pressure without melting, e.g. marble from limestone.
Quick check
Part 6 of 17
Quick check
Part 7 of 17
Reset break
Part 8 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Learning cycle
Part 9 of 17
Learning cycle 2 of 2
Part 2 · The rock cycle
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 10 of 17
Learn
The rock cycle
Rocks are continually recycled: weathering and erosion break rocks into sediment; burial and pressure turn sediment into sedimentary rock; heat and pressure can transform any rock into metamorphic rock; and extreme heat can melt rock, which cools to form new igneous rock.
Quick check
Part 11 of 17
Reset break
Part 12 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 3 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Challenge round
Part 13 of 17
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Challenge round
Part 14 of 17
Game · Fill the gaps
Finish the sentences
Choose the word that belongs in each gap.
The current ____ is roughly 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, with small amounts of carbon dioxide, argon and water vapour.
____ rock forms when molten magma or lava cools and solidifies, e.g.
____ rock forms when layers of sediment are compacted and cemented together over time, e.g.
Challenge round
Part 15 of 17
Game · Recall cards
Which rock type forms from cooling magma or lava?
Card 1 of 4
Mastery quiz
Part 16 of 17
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Earth structure and the rock cycle
4 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. Which rock type forms from cooling magma or lava?
2. Which gas makes up the largest percentage of today's atmosphere?
3. How does marble form from limestone?
4. Which rock type can contain fossils?
Lesson round-up
Part 17 of 17
Lesson round-up
Ready when you are
Quiz score
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Points this lesson
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Luna: 0 out of 3 on the practice checks. Only if you feel up to it — one more?
Ask LunaPart 1 of 17 · Watch & discover
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Understand the composition of the Earth and its atmosphere, and the rock cycle and the formation of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks