Mississippi Science ESS.2B.6
The Standard
- ESS.2B
- Students will develop an understanding of the history and evolution of the earth.
Plan and conduct a scientific investigation to determine how factors (e.g., wind velocity, water velocity, ice, and temperature) may affect the rate of weathering.
2026 Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Science · Earth Structure and History
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students plan a fair test of how one factor changes the rate at which rock breaks down or a mineral dissolves. They measure the change over time and use their results to compare rates.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can change water temperature while keeping the salt mass and water volume the same. They can calculate grams dissolved per minute for each trial and use those rates to support a conclusion.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may call dissolving salt erosion, even though the mineral is breaking down in water. They may compare crystals of different sizes or think a shorter dissolving time means a slower rate.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Equal 2 g salt crystals dissolve in 6 minutes in cold water and 3 minutes in warm water. Calculate both rates in grams per minute and name two conditions to keep the same.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give groups equal-mass rock salt pieces, two water temperatures, and timers; ask them to plan a fair test and calculate grams dissolved per minute.
Ask students to write: Which water temperature dissolved the salt faster? Use your measurements and name one condition you kept the same.
Hand out three trial tables; students calculate grams dissolved per minute and flag any trial that used a different starting mass.
Show a photo of a cracked sidewalk; ask students how repeated freezing and thawing might change the rock or concrete over time.
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Printable ESS.2B.6 Worksheet
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