Weathering

Question 1

What are the 5 different types of chemical weathering?

Answer 1

Oxidation, carbonation, hydration, hydrolysis and solution

Question 2

Define oxidation

Answer 2

When oxygen reacts with minerals in the rock forming iron oxide which breaks down the rock

Question 3

Define carbonation

Answer 3

Carbon dioxide reacts with carbonate minerals forming carbonic acid which breaks down the rock

Question 4

Define hydration

Answer 4

Water absorbed by minerals in the rock create crystals which put pressure on the rock, causing it to break

Question 5

Define hydrolysis

Answer 5

Water reacts with minerals in rock, changing the chemical composition which makes the rock unstable and prone to breaking

Question 6

Define solution

Answer 6

Soluble materials in rock dissolve on contact with water

Question 7

What are the 3 types of physical weathering

Answer 7

Freeze thaw, salt crystallisation, thermal expansion

Question 8

Define freeze thaw

Answer 8

When water gets into a crack of a rock, it freezes and expands at night which strains the rock. During the day, when it is liquid, this pressure is released. This process keeps happening and the crack gets larger and larger until it breaks.

Question 9

Define salt crystallisation

Answer 9

Evaporation of water from the rocks, leaves the salt behind which crystallises. These crystals expand which put pressure on the rock, causing it to break.

Question 10

Define thermal expansion

Answer 10

During the day, rocks get really hot and they expand. They shrink at night when they cool. This process causes peeling

Question 11

What are the 2 types of biological weathering

Answer 11

Tree roots and organic acid

Question 12

Define tree roots

Answer 12

When the roots grow between rocks, putting strain on them and causing them to break

Question 13

What is van’t-hoff’s law? (Chemical) What does this mean for chemical weathering across the globe?

Answer 13

A 10 degree celcius increase in temp. causes a 2.5 times increase in the rate of chemical reaction.

Chemical weathering occurs at higher rates in tropical regions rather than polar or temperate regions.

Question 14

Exceptions to van’t-hoff’s law?

Answer 14

Exception: carbonation can be more effective in low temperatures because carbon dioxide is more soluble in cold water than warm water.

Question 15

Sea water ph?

How is climate change impacting this?

Answer 15

Normally, sea water is neutral to slightly alkaline.

However, increasing levels of CO2 leads to rain becoming more acidic and therefore, the sea is too.

Question 15

Sea water ph?

How is climate change impacting this?

Answer 15

Normally, sea water is neutral to slightly alkaline.

However, increasing levels of CO2 leads to rain becoming more acidic and therefore, the sea is too.

Question 16

Sea water ph?

How is climate change impacting this?

Answer 16

Normally, sea water is neutral to slightly alkaline.

However, increasing levels of CO2 leads to rain becoming more acidic and therefore, the sea is too.

Question 17

Sea water ph?

How is climate change impacting this?

Answer 17

Normally, sea water is neutral to slightly alkaline.

However, increasing levels of CO2 leads to rain becoming more acidic and therefore, the sea is too.