S Flashcards
What is weathering?
Weathering refers to the natural process that breaks down rocks and minerals at the Earth’s surface.
True or False: Weathering only occurs due to mechanical forces.
False
What are the two main types of weathering?
Mechanical weathering and chemical weathering.
Fill in the blank: Mechanical weathering involves the ________ of rocks without changing their chemical composition.
physical breakdown
What is the primary agent of mechanical weathering?
Frost action or freeze-thaw cycles.
True or False: Chemical weathering can lead to the formation of new minerals.
True
Which process involves the dissolution of minerals in water?
Chemical weathering.
What role does temperature play in weathering?
Temperature changes can cause expansion and contraction of rocks, leading to mechanical weathering.
Which type of weathering is primarily caused by biological activity?
Mechanical weathering.
What is an example of chemical weathering?
Oxidation of iron in rocks.
Fill in the blank: The presence of ________ can accelerate chemical weathering.
water
What is the effect of acid rain on weathering?
Acid rain speeds up chemical weathering by increasing the acidity of rainwater.
True or False: Weathering processes can lead to soil formation.
True
What is the significance of weathering in the rock cycle?
Weathering breaks down rocks, contributing to soil formation and the recycling of minerals.
What type of weathering occurs when rocks are broken down by plant roots?
Biological weathering.
Fill in the blank: ________ is a type of mechanical weathering that occurs when water freezes and expands in cracks.
Frost wedging
What is the main weathering agent in chemical weathering?
Water.
Which type of rock is most susceptible to weathering?
Sedimentary rock.
True or False: Weathering can occur at any location on Earth.
True
What is the term for the process of breaking down rocks into smaller particles?
Disintegration.
Fill in the blank: The process of ________ involves the transport of weathered material.
erosion
What human activities can accelerate weathering?
Construction, mining, and deforestation.
What is the role of climate in weathering processes?
Climate affects the rate of weathering; warmer and wetter climates generally increase the rate.
Fill in the blank: ________ weathering results from the expansion and contraction of rocks due to temperature changes.
Thermal
What is the difference between weathering and erosion?
Weathering is the breakdown of rocks, while erosion is the movement of those broken materials.
True or False: Chemical weathering can change the mineral composition of rocks.
True
What is a common result of mechanical weathering?
The formation of smaller rock fragments.
Fill in the blank: ________ is a key factor in both mechanical and chemical weathering processes.
Water
What type of weathering is caused by the action of organisms such as lichens?
Chemical weathering.
What is the impact of weathering on the landscape?
Weathering shapes the landscape by creating soil, valleys, and other landforms.
Fill in the blank: The process of ________ involves the breakdown of rocks into soil.
weathering
What is the relationship between weathering and sedimentary rock formation?
Weathering provides the sediments that can form sedimentary rocks.
True or False: All types of rocks weather at the same rate.
False
What is the term for the chemical reaction of minerals with oxygen?
Oxidation.
Fill in the blank: ________ weathering occurs primarily in hot and humid environments.
Chemical
What is the process by which minerals are dissolved in water called?
Hydrolysis.
What role do microorganisms play in weathering?
Microorganisms can produce acids that contribute to chemical weathering.
Fill in the blank: The breakdown of rocks by physical forces is known as ________ weathering.
mechanical
What is the significance of weathering in agriculture?
Weathering creates soil, which is essential for plant growth.
