Weathering And Soil Flashcards
What is denudation?
Denudation or degradation - the procsess by which rock materials from the earth are removed, resulting the general lowering of the landβs surface
What is weathering
weathering - the procsess by which rocks on the land surface break down or crumble because of the actions of the elements of weather such as rain
, Frost and temperatu
changes
What is erosion
irosion - the procsess by which the whathered materials are transported by agents such as running water, moving ice, waves and wind.
Name 5 factors thats effedt weathering
local climate, mineral composition and structure of rocks , vegatation cover in the area, bare rock swiface and human achvities
What is physical weathering
Weathering
In this type of weathering, rocks break up or disintegrate without any change in their chemical composition.
What is granular disintegratation
Rocks become weak and their grains loosen and fall out because of alternate heating and poling - heating and expansion during the day, and cooling and contraction at night over a period of time, the rocks disintegrate rain by grain. This is called granular lisintegration. It is common in deserts.
What is exfoliation
(b) When the surface layers of rounded rocks and boulders gradually peel off in layers, similar to the peeled layers of an onion, the process is called exfoliation.
When does exfoilation occur
This occurs due to the expansion of the outer layer during the day and the contraction of the same layer during the night, repeatedly over a period of time.
What is chemical weathering
Chemical Weathering or Decomposition the name suggests, chemical weathering volves changes in the chemical composition rocks, which results in their breaking up into maller fragments.
When does chemical weathering take. Place
Usually this takes place when certain minerals contained in rocks react with the gases and moisture in the air.
________ plays an important role in chemicals weathering
Water
What is oxidation?
Oxidation: This is the process by which oxygen in the air reacts with certain minerals in some rocks resulting in the formation of a new chemical compound, which is far more easily eroded..
_____ weakens rocks
Oxidation
How does oxidation weaken rocks?
many rocks contain some amount of the mineral iron. When iron absorbs oxygen from the air, it rusts, changes its colour and becomes a brown or red powdery mass called rust, which is easily eroded. Sometimes, oxygen dissolved in rainwater also acts upon minerals in rocks
What is carbonation
This occurs when carbon dioxide in the atmosphere dissolves in rainwater and forms a new compound called carbonic acid. This new compound reacts with minerals in the rock and causes small pits and grooves on the surface of rocks