weathering (6)

Question 1

Weathering

Answer 1

The disintegration and decomposition of rock at or near the surface of Earth

Question 2

Mechanical Weathering

Answer 2

The physical disintegration of rock, resulting in smaller fragments

Question 3

Chemical Weathering

Answer 3

The processes by which the internal structure of a mineral is altered by the removal and/or addition of elements

Question 4

Erosion

Answer 4

The incorporation and transportation of material by a mobile agent, such as water, wind or ice

Question 5

Frost wedging

Answer 5

The mechanical breakup of rock caused by the expansion of freezing water in cracks and crevices

Question 6

Joint

Answer 6

A fracture in rock along which there has been no movement

Question 7

Sheeting

Answer 7

A mechanical weathering process that is characterized by the splitting off of slab like sheets of rock

Question 8

Exfoliation Dome

Answer 8

A large, dome-shaped structure, usually composed of granite, that is formed by sheeting

Question 9

Dissolution

Answer 9

The process of dissolving into a homogenous solution, as when an acidic solution dissolves limestone; a common form of chemical weathering

Question 10

Oxidation

Answer 10

The removal of one or more electrons from an atom or ion. So named because elements commonly combine with oxygen

Question 11

Hydrolysis

Answer 11

A chemical weathering process in which minerals are altered by chemically reacting with water and acids

Question 12

Sheroidal Weathering

Answer 12

Any weathering process that tends to produce a spherical shape from any initially blocky shape

Question 13

How is carbonic acid formed in nature?

Answer 13

When it rains

Question 14

What occurs when carbonic acid reacts with calcite-rich rocks such as limestone?

Answer 14

Dissolution

Question 15

What products result when carbonic acid reacts with potassium feldspar?

Answer 15

Clay-Kaolinite

Question 16

List several minerals that are especially susceptible to oxidation and list two common products of oxidation.

Answer 16

Ferromagnesian silica, biotite, pyroxene, etc.

Rust, hematite and limonite

Question 17

Differential Weathering

Answer 17

The variation in the rate and degree of weathering caused by such factors as mineral makeup, degree of jointing, and climate

Question 18

Explain why granite and marble headstones weather differently.

Answer 18

Composition

Marble is made of calcite which is really susceptible to dissolution

Question 19

How does climate influence weathering?

Answer 19

Fastest weathering occurs in areas that are warm and wet

Question 20

Regolith

Answer 20

The layer of rock and mineral fragments that nearly everywhere covers Earth’s land surface

Question 21

Soil

Answer 21

A combination of mineral and organic matter, water, and air; the portion of the regolith that supports plant growth

Question 22

Humus

Answer 22

Organic matter in soil that is produced by the decomposition of plants and animals

Question 23

Soil Texture

Answer 23

The relative proportions of clay, silt, and sand in a soil. A soil’s texture strongly influences its ability to retain and transmit water and air

Question 24

Explain why soil is considered an interface in the Earth system.

Answer 24

Geosphere, Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, and the Biosphere come together

Question 25

Why is texture an important soil property for agriculture?

Answer 25

Ideal soils need to be in between in properties of holding water

Question 26

Parent Material

Answer 26

The material on which a soil develops

Question 27

List the 5 basic controls of soil formation.

Answer 27

Parent Material 
Time
Climate
Biology 
Topography

Question 28

Which factor is the most influential in soil formation?

Answer 28

Climate

Question 29

How might the direction a slope is facing influence soil formation?

Answer 29

In the North, South facing slopes get a lot more sun than north facing slopes

Question 30

Horizons

Answer 30

Layers in a soil profile

Question 31

Soil Profile

Answer 31

A vertical section through a soil, showing its succession of horizons and the underlying parent material

Question 32

Eluviation

Answer 32

The washing out of fine soil components from the A horizon by downward-percolating water

Question 33

Leaching

Answer 33

The depletion of soluble materials from the upper soil by downward-percolating water

Question 34

Zone of Accumulation

Answer 34

The accumulation of fine clay particles to enhance the B horizon’s ability to hold water

Question 35

Hardpan

Answer 35

When clay accumulation forms a very compact impermeable layer

Question 36

Why are soils classified?

Answer 36

So that we can know what each soil is good for

Question 37

Soil Taxonomy

Answer 37

A soil classification system that consists of six hierarchical categories, based on observable soil characteristics. This system recognizes 12 soil orders.

Question 38

Why are soils in tropical rain forests not well suited for intensive farming?

Answer 38

Very little humus

Question 39

Place these phenomena in proper sequence: sheet erosion, gullies, raindrop impact, rills, stream.

Answer 39

Raindrop impact, sheet erosion, rills, gullies, stream

Question 40

Explain how human activities have affected the rate of soil erosion.

Answer 40

Deforestation