weathering

Question 1

denudation

Answer 1

lowering of continental surfaces

Question 2

3 elements of denudation

Answer 2

1. weathering
2. mass wasting/mass movement
3. erosion

Question 3

weathering AKA

Answer 3

how to lower

Question 4

two types of weathering

Answer 4

1. physical
2. chemical

Question 5

physical weathering

Answer 5

breaks down big rocks into smaller pieces BUT the chemical composition does NOT change

Question 6

physical weathering AKA

Answer 6

disintegration

Question 7

chemical weathering

Answer 7

big rocks are broken down to smaller rocks WITH their chemical composition changing (become new rocks)

Question 8

chemical weathering AKA

Answer 8

decomposition

Question 9

mass wasting is

Answer 9

the transfer of material downhill via GRAVITY

Question 10

erosion is the

Answer 10

transfer of material by water, wind or ice

Question 11

weathering is the

Answer 11

IN SITU breakdown of rock

Question 12

what are 4 thing that control weathering

Answer 12

1. rock properties
2. climate
3. soil and vegetation
4. length of exposure

Question 13

how are some rock properties affect weathering

Answer 13

1. hardness
2. composition
3. solubility
4. zones of weakness aka joints

Question 14

how does climate affect weathering

Answer 14

depending on the temp and moisture, it can either accelerate or inhibit weathering

Question 15

how do soil and vegetation affect weathering

Answer 15

exposes rock to variations in moisture and chemistry

Question 16

physical weathering AKA

Answer 16

mechanical weathering

Question 17

physical weathering converts rock into smaller pieces that can be act on more by

Answer 17

erosion

Question 18

how do physical weathering and surface area relate

Answer 18

as the rock is broken down to smaller pieces, there is more surface area

Question 19

an increase in surface area by physical weathering allows for _____

Answer 19

more reactions to take place

Question 20

important physical weathering processes

Answer 20

1. frost action
2. salt weathering
3. pressure-release jointing
4. biological forcesq

Question 21

what is frost action

Answer 21

the weathering processes caused by repeated cycles of freezing and thawing

Question 22

describe the process of frost action

Answer 22

meltwater leaks into cracks and freezes causing fissures to expand under pressure and, with repeated cycles, shatter the surrounding rock.

Question 23

where does frost action take place

Answer 23

in places that often go through rises and falls in temp through zero (like the Himalayas)

Question 24

salt crystal growth process

Answer 24

1. as water evaporates, it leaves salt in the rocks
2. over times the crystallization breaks apart the rock

Question 25

where does salt crystal growth happen

Answer 25

1. dry environments
2. areas with lots of ocean spray

Question 26

pressure-release jointing process

Answer 26

1. rocks in the surface are exposed to high levels of pressure and heat that stick them together
2. as they reach the surface, there is less pressure which causes them to break apart

Question 27

what is the result of pressure-release jointing

Answer 27

slab-like layers or sheets break loose

Question 28

how can biological activity act as physical weathering of rocks

Answer 28

1. plant roots can break up the rock as they push through
2. some animals can break rocks as they make homes (clams)

Question 29

what does chemical weathering involve reactions between

Answer 29

air and water and minerals in the rock

Question 30

where is chemical weathering going to occur FASTER

Answer 30

in places with warm temps and lots of water

Question 31

why does chemical weathering happen in places with lots of water and warm temps

Answer 31

because these conditions promote faster chemical reactions

Question 32

how can chemical weathering accelerate physical weathering

Answer 32

it makes the rocks more susceptible to physical weathering as the crystal structures are disrupted

Question 33

important chemical weathering processes

Answer 33

1. hydrolysis and hydration
2. dissolution of carbonates

Question 34

hydrolysis is the _____ of a molecule by the _____ of a water

Answer 34

breaking and addition

Question 35

what do the free hydrogen or hydronium ions in WATER do in hydrolysis

Answer 35

participate in chemical reactions that make NEW compounds

Question 36

what can be the result of hydrolysis

Answer 36

crystal structure of weaker minerals may breakdown = granular disintegration

Question 37

dissolution of carbonates

Answer 37

reaction where carbon combines with minerals and dissolves them

Question 38

what forms in the dissolution of carbonates

Answer 38

weak carbonic acid (water and carbon dioxide)

Question 39

dissolution of carbonates is related to

Answer 39

kast topography

Question 40

kast topography

Answer 40

the solution of carbonate rock results in a landscape of pitted, bumpy surface with vast underground channels or caverns

Question 41

what are the 3 conditions for karst topography

Answer 41

1. rocks with equal or over 80% calcium carbonate AND have jointing
2. climate must be warm and moist
3. there must be vegetation to increase CO2 in soil

Question 42

where do physical/mechanical weathering dominant

Answer 42

drier, cooler climates

Question 43

where does chemical weathering dominant

Answer 43

moister, wetter climates

Question 44

benefits of weathering

Answer 44

1. produces parent material for soils
2. releases/produces minerals not able to be access another way

Question 45

4 categories of soils

Answer 45

1. gravel
2. sand
3. silt
4. clay

Question 46

order of soils based on largest to smallest particle size

Answer 46

1. gravel
2. sand
3. silt
4. clay