Chp 4: Weathering and Soils Flashcards
What is weathering?
The breaking down of the materials of the Earth’s crust into smaller pieces.
How many types of Weathering are there?
There are 3 types of weathering:
- Physical
- Chemical
- Biological
Describe Physical Weathering and list examples of it.
It is the process by which rocks are broken down to smaller pieces by external conditions.
Examples:
Frost heaving and Frost wedging
Plant roots
Friction and impacts
Burrowing animals
Describe Chemical weathering
It is the process of breaking down rock through chemical changes.
list agents of chemical weathering:
- Water
- Acid rain
- Oxygen
- Carbon dioxide
- living organisms
What is Erosion?
Erosion is defined as the removal and movement of Earth material by natural agents.
Some of these agents include galciers , wind, water, earthquakes, volvanioes, tonranodeos, hurricanes, mudflow and avalanecehs.
What is the difference between weathering and erosion?
No movement of material is involved in weathering.
What is soil?
It is a layer of weathered unconsolidated material on top of bedrock.
What is Soil made of?
- Air
- Water
- Mineral Matter
- Organic matter
What is the function of Soil?
- Acts as a plant medium
- Recylcng system for nutrnts
- Engineering medium
- System for water supply and purification
What are the 5 main factors that influence soil formation?
- Type of Parent Material
- Climate
- Topography
- Biotic Components
- Time
Which types of Soils exist?
Young Soils: The strongest influence is the parent material.
Mature Soil: Stronhets influence is the Climate, vegetation and Drainage.
Soil Size
Clay
silt
sand
gravel
