Crappy chapter Two Test Review Flashcards
Weathering
Processes by which rock materials are broken down by the action of physical and chemical processes
Mechanical weathering vs chemical weathering
Mechanical weathering-physical changes
Chemical weathering-chemical changes
Gravitation weathering
Rocks fall on other rocks and break them
Plants
Plant roots grow under rocks or get into cracks, get bigger, and cause cracks
Water abrasion
Water pushes rock and sand against other rocks and wears it down.
Animals
Animals dig under ground and move particles around
Wind abrasion
Wind pushes sand against rock and wears it down
Ice wedging
Water gets into cracks in rock, freezes, expands, and cracks the rock
Air
Oxidation- oxygen combines with other elements to produce oxides. Ex.- rust
Acid precipitation
Rain, sleet, of snow that has a high concentration of acids
Acids in living things
Lichens contain acids that can break down rocks
Water
Water can dissolve bonds between rock particles
Acids in groundwater
Groundwater with acids in it has a chemical reaction with limestone
Three things that determine the rate at which rocks weather
Climate
Elevation
Makeup of rocks-the minerals in it, surface area of rocks
Differential weathering
The process by which softer, les weather resistant rocks wear away and leave harder, weather resistant rocks
Why does weathering occur faster in the mountains
The rocks are more exposed to wind, rain, and ice
Why are all soils not the same
It depends on the type of rock in the soil
What is a parent rock
A parent rock is a rock formation that is the source of soil
Residual soil vs transported soil
Residual soil- stays above parent rock
Transported soil- soil that is blown away from parent rock
Humus
Humus is organic material formed in the soil from the decayed remains of plants and animals
What is leaching and why is it a problem for farming
The removal of substances that can be dissolved from rock, ore, or layers of soil due to the passing of water. It drains all the nutrients from the soil
Why is it important that soil has the correct ph
Different plants need different ph in the soil to get nutrients
Why do different climates have different types of soils and different thicknesses of soil layers
The amount of moisture and Temperature affects how soil horizons form
What is soil conservation
Keeping soil fertile by preventing erosion and nutrient loss
