Constructive processes build up Earth’s surface. New land can form when lava cools into rock, when sediments are deposited to create deltas and beaches, or when sand dunes grow as wind drops sand. These changes can be fast (volcanic island) or gradual (delta growth).
Topic a. How Constructive & Destructive Forces Shape Earth
In this topic we go over how constructive and destructive forces help shape Earth. Take your video notes as you follow along with video, complete your activities, and do great on your topic quiz!
📚 FSI Courses · 5th Grade Science
Constructive & Destructive Forces
Interactive Video Notes — Complete all four sections, then calculate your overall score!
🎯
Learning Target: I can describe and explain how constructive and destructive forces help shape Earth.
✏️ Fill in the Blank
🔘 Multiple Choice
☑️ Multi-Select
🧩 Drag & Drop
Section 1 — Fill in the Blank
Use each word from the word bank below to complete the sentences. Type carefully!
📦 Word Bank
constructive
destructive
weathering
erosion
deposition
volcano
lava
tectonic plates
Grand Canyon
sediment
1
Forces that work to build or create new formations on Earth are called
forces.
2
Forces that tear down or destroy existing formations are called
forces.
3
The main quick constructive force on Earth is a
, which can send lava shooting out in seconds.
4
When
cools and hardens, it creates new land masses where organisms can live.
5
Mountains are formed slowly when two
are pushed into each other.
6
is the breaking down of rocks due to forces such as wind and water.
7
is the wearing away of land by forces such as water, wind, and ice.
8
The laying down of
carried by wind, flowing water, the sea, or ice is called deposition.
9
The
in Arizona is an excellent example of weathering and erosion over millions of years.
10
creates landforms such as deltas when river water slows and drops the sediment it was carrying.
Section 2 — Multiple Choice
Select the single best answer for each question. 8 questions total.
1What do constructive forces do to Earth's surface?
2Which is an example of a slow constructive force?
3The Hawaiian Islands formed over millions of years because of a —
4What is weathering?
5The three main forces that cause erosion are —
6Examples of quick destructive forces include —
7Deposition is best described as —
8Which statement about volcanoes is TRUE?
Section 3 — Multi-Select
Select all correct answers for each question. Pay attention to the hints!
1Which are examples of slow constructive forces? (Select all that apply)
💡 3 correct answers
2Which events are BOTH constructive AND destructive? (Select all that apply)
💡 3 correct answers
3Which landforms are created by constructive forces? (Select all that apply)
💡 4 correct answers
4Which correctly describe erosion? (Select all that apply)
💡 3 correct answers
Section 4 — Drag & Drop Sort
Drag each term into the correct category. Some terms belong in the "Both" column!
🖱️ Desktop: Drag each chip from the Word Bank into the correct drop zone below.
📱 Mobile: Use the dropdown menus that appear below the zones.
Drag a chip back to the Word Bank to change your answer.
📦 Word Bank — Drag from here
🌋 Volcanic Eruptions
💨 Weathering
🌊 Erosion
🏖️ Deposition
🌍 Earthquakes
🌊 Tsunamis
⛰️ Landslides
🌧️ Floods
🏜️ Sand Dunes (Wind)
🏞️ Delta Formation
🏗️ Constructive Forces
Builds or creates new landforms
💥 Destructive Forces
Breaks down or destroys landforms
⚖️ Both
Acts as constructive AND destructive
📱 Mobile Mode — Use the dropdowns below to categorize each term:
🏆 Overall Score
—
Remember: 80% or higher = Proficiency! 🎯 Keep going until you win!
Constructive & Destructive Processes — Grade 5 (GSE S5E1)
Drag & Drop
Dropdowns
Graph & Diagrams
Auto-Scored
Read: How Earth’s Surface Changes
Destructive processes break down or wear away land. Weathering breaks rock into smaller pieces, erosion moves those pieces, and floods, landslides, or waves can quickly reshape land by removing material.
Graph: Vegetation vs. Erosion Rate
As plant cover increases, roots hold soil and usually decrease erosion. Use this graph to answer a question below.
Sort: Constructive or Destructive? (Updated)
Place each tile into the correct category. Keyboard: focus a tile then press 1 (Constructive), 2 (Destructive), 0 (Back to Bank).
Constructive 🧱 Builds Up
Destructive 🪥 Breaks Down
Match: Core Processes
Diagram: River Meander
Outside bends flow faster and erode; inside bends flow slower and cause deposition.
Milestones-Style Practice (5 Questions)
-
Q1. A new island appears after an undersea volcanic eruption. Which process primarily built this land?
-
Q2. Based on the graph above, as vegetation cover increases from 10% to 70%, the erosion rate generally —
-
Q3. (Multi-select) Which events are most likely to cause a destructive change to Earth’s surface within hours? Select all that apply.
-
Q4. As a river slows where it meets the ocean, which feature forms most directly from deposition?
-
Q5. Which statement best shows that constructive and destructive processes often act together?
Score & Controls
Current: 0 / 18 (0%)