Lesson 7: Weathering Flashcards
Which property of water is most directly responsible for frost wedging?
The expansion of water as it changes from liquid to solid
Sheet jointing/exfoliation of plutonic rocks is usually produced by________.
Pressure release
How does mechanical weathering aid chemical weathering?
Mechanical weathering increases surface area for chemical attack
Which of the following is NOT a form of physical weathering?
a. dissolution (solution)
b. impact/abrasion
c. frost wedging
d. salt crystal growth
a. Dissolution
When exposed rock bakes in the Texas sun, it _______.
Expands
Salt crystal growth (salt wedging) is common in _____ climates and in costal areas.
arid
T/F: When a rock is mechanically weathered, it changes composition (new minerals are formed)
False
Rocks can be “sand-blasted”; this type of mechanical weathering is termed _____.
Impacts/abrasions
Alternate wetting and drying of soft or poorly-cemented rock (shales) cause fairly rapid breakdown of the rock. Most disintegration occurs during the ______ cycle.
drying
What affects the rate of chemical weathering of a mineral? (5)
The composition of the mineral, type of weathering, grain size, climate, and other factors
___ and ___ climates promote the fastest chemical weathering.
Hot;wet
The mineral most RESISTANT to weathering is _____.
Quartz
Given your understanding of the weathering process, what is responsible for the red color of the rocks and soils around the Red River in North Texas?
Oxidation of iron-bearing minerals
____ is one of the most water-soluble minerals.
Halite
The mineral hematite forms from what chemical weathering process?
a. salt wedding
b. solution/dissolution
c. hydrolysis
d. oxidation
d. oxidation
