Rock Cycle and Weathering Flashcards
Weathering
is the breaking down of rocks/minerals at the earth’s surface to make…
sediments (may form sedimentary rocks)
soil
Sediments
sediments form when rocks/minerals or living material (like shells) are weathered into smaller pieces. examples of sediments: shells, bones mud, gravel sand, clay, silt
What are the two types of weathering?
mechanical (physical)
chemical
Mechanical Weathering
the type of weathering where rock is broken down into smaller pieces without changing the chemical properties of the rock (by physical means only)
How does Mechanical Weathering happen?
1-by temperature change
2-abrasion (wind, waves, gravity)
3-growth of plants (root pry)
4-actions of animals (including humans)
What are examples of Mechanical Weathering?
abrasion, ice wedging, root pry, gravity
Chemical Weathering
process of breaking down rock through chemical
changes
How does Chemical Weathering happen?
1- water
2- weak acids
3- air (oxygen) rust or oxidation
4- living things (tips or roots)
Examples of Chemical Weathering
rusting, oxidation, tarnish, acid rain
Rock Cycle
with the help of heat, pressure and weathering one kind of rock can be change into another kind of rock
Erosion
the process by which weathered particles are moved to another location
Abrasion
grinding and wearing away of rock by other pieces of rock
What makes rocks move faster
1- softer rock 2- more surface area 3- warm humid climates 4- moving water, steep slopes, or windy 5- large temperature differences
Oxidation
rust and tarnishing (when oxygen a metal)
Ice Wedging
caused by water expanding when it freezes
