Ricci Weathering, Soil, Erosion, Water Cycle Flashcards
evaporation
liquid water changing, which changes water to vapor
Mechanical/Physical Weathering
The process by which rock breaks down into smaller pieces by physical means
Ice Wedging
It occurs when water seeps into cracks in rock and then freezes.
Why does a small surface area help a rock resist weathering?
Less exposure means less weathering. A small surface area reduces the rock’s exposure to weathering agents.
Oxidation
when elements combine with oxygen.
Transpiration
Process by which plants release water vapor into the atmosphere
Abrasion
The grinding and wearing away of rock surfaces through the mechanical action of other rock or sand particles.
Differential Weathering
When rocks weather at different rates; soft rocks weather faster and harder rocks weather more slowly.
Evapotranspiration
The total loss of water in an area
Carbonation
chemical reaction that combines minerals with carbonic acid, which creates carbonates
How does topography affect soil ?
The shape of the land or topography affects the soil formation . If the land is like a slope then the rain would spread unevenly and the soil at the top would be thin but at the bottom would be thick . If it was flat then the water would spread evenly .
Acid Precipitation
Is a rainfall with a pH value of 5.2 or less. It can damage soils, trees, and buildings.
chemical weathering
The process by which rock breaks down as a result of chemical reactions.
Erosion
The process of which materials like rock are worn away then transported by wind or water.
Sheet Erosion
The type of soil erosion in which a large area of top soil slides downhill as one whole sheet.
Soil
is a complex mixture of minerals, water, gases, and the remains of dead organisms.
Precipitation
Any form of water that falls to Earth such as: rain, snow, sleet, and hail.
In what areas is weathering the slowest ?
Hot, dry climates is where weathering occurs the slowest
How does topography affect soil ?
The shape of land or topography has a big effect on soil . If it was a slope then the rain would spread unevenly . Then the soil at the top would be thin but at the bottom would be thick . If it was even land then the rain would spread evenly and is the best surface for thick fertile soil
water budget
is an account of water stored in the system,such as watershed,and the movement of water in and out of the system
In what areas is chemical
weathering the fastest?
Hot and wet is where chemical weathering occurs the fastest
What are the effects climate has on weathering?
they have alternating periods of hot and cold weather that allows the fastest rates to grow.
