Year 5 Science · AC9S5U02

Describe how weathering, erosion, transportation and deposition cause slow or rapid change to Earth’s surface

Students distinguish breakdown from movement and settling, model agents such as water, wind and ice and explain how process rate depends on material, slope, vegetation…

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Learning goalsSay it simply

Students distinguish breakdown from movement and settling, model agents such as water, wind and ice and explain how process rate depends on material, slope, vegetation, climate and time.

Weathering breaks material down; erosion removes it, transportation moves it and deposition occurs when energy decreases and sediment settles.

The processes interact but are not synonyms. One landscape may experience weathering, erosion and deposition in different locations at the same time.

Models should preserve direction and cause but may accelerate time and simplify rock type, rainfall variability and scale.

Learning routine: Observe → Model → Investigate → Analyse → Explain → Evaluate

Success looks like

  • Identify system components
  • Explain relationships with a model
  • Use evidence from a fair method
  • Apply to a new context
  • Evaluate limits and further questions
Key conceptTeach from the board

Trace sediment from rock to depositional landform

1weathering breaks rock
→
2erosion removes sediment
→
3water/wind/ice transports
→
4energy falls
→
5deposition builds layers or landforms

The processes interact but are not synonyms. One landscape may experience weathering, erosion and deposition in different locations at the same time.

  1. Read every label and identify the quantities, parts or evidence.
  2. Explain the relationship shown—not just the final answer.
  3. Check the conclusion against the original question and units.

Connect conditions to process rate

conditionlikely effectsteeper slopefaster runoff and greater transportvegetation coverroots stabilise soil; leaves reduce impactstrong windgreater transport of loose dry particlesfreeze–thawwater expansion widens cracksriver slowssediment deposition increases

Models should preserve direction and cause but may accelerate time and simplify rock type, rainfall variability and scale.

Now transfer the same relationship to a new situation and justify the result with precise vocabulary.

Clean visual examplesOne-page board

Clean one-page examples

AC9S5U02 - Describe how weathering, erosion, transportation and deposition cause slow or rapid change to Earth’s surface
Example 1

condition likely effect steeper slope faster runoff and greater transport vegetation cover roots stabilise soil; leaves reduce impact strong wind greater transport of loose dry particles freeze–thaw water expansion widens cracks river slows sediment deposition increases

Example 2

condition likely effect steeper slope faster runoff and greater transport vegetation cover roots stabilise soil; leaves reduce impact strong wind greater transport of loose dry particles freeze–thaw water expansion widens cracks river slows sediment deposition increases

Example 3

Distinguish four processes. Explain vegetation effect. Predict deposition location. Identify an agent.

Example 4

Trace sediment from rock to depositional landform 1 weathering breaks rock → 2 erosion removes sediment → 3 water/wind/ice transports → 4 energy falls → 5 deposition builds layers or landforms The processes interact but are not synonyms. One landscape may experience weathering, erosion and deposition in different locations at the same time. Read every label and identify the quantities, parts or evidence. Explain the relationship shown—not just the final answer. Check the conclusion against the original question and units.

Curriculum examplesCopied content

Content description: describe how weathering, erosion, transportation and deposition cause slow or rapid change to Earth’s surface.

  • E1: identifying types of weathering caused by mechanical means such as by wind abrasion, cycles of extreme heat or cold, and frost wedging; and biological means such as by plants and tree roots
  • E2: exploring how erosion can be caused by moving air or moving water and how substances such as surface soil are relocated, and identifying examples of erosion on a local or regional scale
  • E3: analysing the difference between weathering and erosion and comparing the timescales over which these processes can occur
  • E4: modelling the effects of erosion on a simulated landscape and exploring factors that mitigate its effects
  • E5: investigating how humans have changed local landscapes and predicting the effect these changes might have on rates of erosion
  • E6: considering how First Nations Australians are impacted by the rapid erosion of sand dunes and the resulting effect of saltwater on culturally significant freshwater swamps
  • E7: considering the effects of significant rainfall, such as a monsoon, on the transportation and deposition of river sediments in the Asia-Pacific region
Questions and answersWith answers

Core idea: Weathering breaks material down; erosion removes it, transportation moves it and deposition occurs when energy decreases and sediment settles.

Remember

  • Identify system components
  • Explain relationships with a model
  • Use evidence from a fair method
  • Apply to a new context
  • Evaluate limits and further questions

Important questions

  • Distinguish four processes. Explain using the model or evidence above.
  • Explain vegetation effect. Explain using the model or evidence above.
  • Predict deposition location. Explain using the model or evidence above.
  • Identify an agent. Explain using the model or evidence above.
  • State a model limitation. Explain using the model or evidence above.
Practice and reviewReady for practice
  • Weathering and erosion are the same — Weathering is breakdown in place; erosion removes material.
  • Deposition destroys land only — It builds features such as deltas, beaches and bars.
  • Change occurs only during disasters — Slow repeated processes also reshape landscapes.
  • Model time equals real time — Classroom models accelerate and simplify processes.

Learn from the Topic Guide and fixed Teacher Slides, complete the Practice Sheet, use Practice for supported feedback, then take the Test when ready.

Curriculum alignmentStart here

Students distinguish breakdown from movement and settling, model agents such as water, wind and ice and explain how process rate depends on material, slope, vegetation, climate and time.

Weathering breaks material down; erosion removes it, transportation moves it and deposition occurs when energy decreases and sediment settles.

The processes interact but are not synonyms. One landscape may experience weathering, erosion and deposition in different locations at the same time.

Models should preserve direction and cause but may accelerate time and simplify rock type, rainfall variability and scale.

Learning routine: Observe → Model → Investigate → Analyse → Explain → Evaluate

Success looks like

  • Identify system components
  • Explain relationships with a model
  • Use evidence from a fair method
  • Apply to a new context
  • Evaluate limits and further questions
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