Weathering

Question 1

What is Weathering?

Answer 1

breakdown of rocks & minerals at or near Earth’s surface

Question 2

Reasons weathering is important

Answer 2

-release of plant nutrients
-pre requisite to soil formation
-contributes to soil’s physical properties

Question 3

Types of weathering

Answer 3

physical
chemical
biological

Question 4

Name the types of physical weathering

Answer 4

Frost wedging
Growth of foreign crystals
Thermal expansion
pressure release upon unloading
abrasion

Question 5

Name the types of chemical weathering

Answer 5

Hydrolysis
Oxidation
Reduction
Carbonation
Hydration/Dehydration
Solution

Question 6

Name the types of biological weathering

Answer 6

Chelation
Root action
Lichens formation

Question 7

Name the products of weathering

Answer 7

quarts (sand grains)
feldspars (silicate clays)
muscovite (silicate clays)
Ferromagnesian minerals (secondary minerals)

Question 8

A visual that determines the rate of weathering

Answer 8

Goldich stability series

Question 9

Describe hydrolysis

Answer 9

attack of small highly charged ion on the mineral’s crystal structure

Question 10

Describe Oxidation

Answer 10

element losses electron

Question 11

Describe Reduction

Answer 11

acceptance of electron

Question 12

Describe Carbonation

Answer 12

reaction of carbonate and bicarbonate atoms

Question 13

Describe Hydration/Dehydration

Answer 13

attaining/removing of a water molecule

Question 14

Describe Solution

Answer 14

dissolving simple salts (carbonated and chlorides) by water