Mechanical Weathering

Question 1

Is erosion a process?

Answer 1

Yes

Question 2

Is weathering a process?

Answer 2

Yes

Question 3

weathering is the breakdown of _____ by physical or chemical means

Answer 3

rock

Question 4

weathering is the breakdown of rock by _____ or ______ means

Answer 4

physical, chemical

Question 5

what is weathering?

Answer 5

the breakdown of rock

Question 6

What is the product of weathering?

Answer 6

Soil

Question 7

where does weathering happen?

Answer 7

At or near the Earth’s surface

Question 8

For weathering to happen there must be an exposure of rock to what three things?

Answer 8

air, moisture, or living things

Question 9

what is erosion?

Answer 9

The transport of weathered material

Question 10

The transport of weathered material is called…

Answer 10

erosion

Question 11

What are the two broad categories of weathering?

Answer 11

mechanical weathering and chemical weathering

Question 12

Mechanical weathering is a ______ process

Answer 12

physical

Question 13

Does mechanical weathering involve any chemical change?

Answer 13

No, the minerals stay the same

Question 14

What is mechanical weathering?

Answer 14

the physical breakdown of rock into smaller and smaller pieces

Question 15

Where is mechanical weathering prominent?

Answer 15

In dry and cool environments

Question 16

Chemical weathering involves ______ processes

Answer 16

chemical

Question 17

Can chemical weathering change the minerals in a rock?

Answer 17

yes

Question 18

Where does chemical weathering occur?

Answer 18

it proceeds most rapidly in wet and hot environments

Question 19

______ and _____ weathering often work/occur together to breakdown a rock

Answer 19

chemical, mechanical

it is often difficult to separate their effects

Question 20

______ weathering is the breakdown of rock through physical processes like stress and strain

Answer 20

mechanical

Question 21

What are joints in a rock?

Answer 21

cracks in a rock

Question 22

The more cracks in a rock the more susceptible it is to be broken down by ______ weathering

Answer 22

mechanical

Question 23

What is the relationship between the amount of joints in a rock and weathering?

Answer 23

the more joints the more susceptible it is to be broken down by mechanical weathering

Question 24

Tectonic squeezing and twisting causes ______ to form in a rock underground

Answer 24

joints

Question 25

when water freezes it ______

Answer 25

expands

Question 26

What is freeze-thaw action?

Answer 26

When water freezes in the crack of rock it expands and breaks open the crack more

Question 27

Can roots and burrowing animals cause weathering?

Answer 27

Yes, they can cause cracks to expand and in effect break the rock apart

Question 28

what is salt crystal growth?

Answer 28

Salt water gets into the joints of a rock, water evaporates, and salt is left behind, crystal growth exerts force . Also, some salt expands when heated

Question 29

_______ is the process by which little particles are blown against the surfaces of rocks causing the surfaces to become smooth.

Answer 29

abrasion

Question 30

what is abrasion?

Answer 30

When little particles are blown against the surfaces of rocks causing the surfaces of the rock to become smooth.
This process is like sandpaper

Question 31

when little particles are blown against the surfaces of rocks what is the effect?

Answer 31

the effect of abrasion is smoothness

Question 32

what are the four processes of mechanical weathering?

Answer 32

• freeze-thaw action
• salt crystal growth
• abrasion
• root/animal contact

Question 33

How are joints in a rock formed?

Answer 33

by tectonic squeezing and twisting