Weathering

Question 1

What is weathing?

Answer 1

Weathering is the breakdown of the earth’s crust by the weather.

Question 2

What is the concept of weathering?

Answer 2

• Rocks on/close to the surface break down into smaller pieces
• This provides particles of rock that eventually form soil.

Question 3

What are the 3 different types of weathering?

Answer 3

• Physical
• Chemical
• Biological

Question 4

What is ‘Physical Weathering’?

Answer 4

‘Physical Weathering’ is the breakdown of rocks by physical forces.

Question 5

What are 2 types of ‘Physical Weathering’?

Answer 5

• Frost Shattering

- Efoliation due to unloading

Question 6

What is ‘Frost Shattering’?

Answer 6

‘Frost Shattering’ is the process where rocks are broken up when water in the cracks of the rock freeze and expands.

Question 7

What is ‘Exfoliation due to unloading’?

Answer 7

It happens in igneous rocks that form deep underground. When a rock is formed, it has a heavy load of rock on top of it. The mass of the rock then expands, developing cracks parallel to the surface.

Question 8

What is ‘Chemical Weathering’?

Answer 8

This happens when chemicals in the air/water react with the chemical substances in the rock. This weakens the rock, causing it to break up.

Question 9

What is ‘Biological Weathering’?

Answer 9

‘Biological Weathering’ is weathering that results from the actions of living things. It can be physical or chemical.