/
Weathering Processes and Effects
Save to my account
Sign up
Weathering Processes and Effects
Weathering Processes and Effects
Study
1
Question
What is weathering?
Answer
Weathering is the process by which rock is broken into smaller pieces.
2
Question
What are the two types of weathering?
Answer
The two types of weathering are physical (mechanical) weathering and chemical weathering.
3
Question
What does physical (mechanical) weathering involve?
Answer
Physical (mechanical) weathering involves the breakdown of rock into smaller pieces without a chemical change in the rock.
4
Question
What is frost action in the context of physical weathering?
Answer
Frost action is due to the expansion of freezing water, which is a significant factor in physical weathering.
5
Question
What is frost wedging?
Answer
Frost wedging is the process where water freezes in cracks of rocks, causing the rocks to crack further.
6
Question
What climate condition is physical weathering most important in?
Answer
Physical weathering is most important in climates where frost action occurs.
7
Question
What are two examples of physical weathering caused by frost?
Answer
Two examples of physical weathering caused by frost are potholes and frost heaves.
8
Question
What is exfoliation in the context of physical weathering?
Answer
Exfoliation is the peeling away of rock due to unloading, which is the reduced pressure at the Earth's surface or fluctuations in temperature.
9
Question
What causes abrasion in physical weathering?
Answer
Abrasion is caused by rocks colliding against each other, often during erosion by wind, liquid water, or glaciers.
10
Question
What are the agents that move rock in abrasion?
Answer
The agents that move rock in abrasion include wind, liquid water (streams, rivers), solid water (glaciers), and gravity.
11
Question
What type of weathering is biological weathering?
Answer
Biological weathering is a type of physical weathering caused by plants and animals.
12
Question
How do plant roots contribute to physical weathering?
Answer
Plant roots uplift and fracture rock, contributing to physical weathering.
13
Question
What is hydration in the context of chemical weathering?
Answer
Hydration is the breakdown of rock due to a chemical change, often involving minerals like feldspar changing into clay.
14
Question
What is carbonation and how does it affect weathering?
Answer
Carbonation occurs when carbon dioxide mixes with water to form carbonic acid, which can slowly dissolve rocks and minerals.
15
Question
What is an example of rock weathering due to carbonation?
Answer
Limestone is an example of a hard rock that is weathered by weak acids, particularly carbonic acid, leading to the formation of caves.
16
Question
What types of rocks are most affected by carbonation?
Answer
Calcite minerals, limestone, and marble are most strongly affected by carbonation.
17
Question
What are stalagmites and stalactites?
Answer
Stalagmites and stalactites are formations in caves that result from the deposition of minerals from dripping water.
18
Question
What is a sinkhole and how is it formed?
Answer
A sinkhole is formed by the dissolution of underground limestone by acidic water, often a result of carbonation.
19
Question
What are man-made acids and their effect on weathering?
Answer
Man-made acids, such as nitric and sulfuric acids produced by industrial processes, cause the chemical weathering of buildings and structures.
20
Question
How do plant acids contribute to chemical weathering?
Answer
Plant acids, formed from decaying remains of plants and fungi, can weaken and dissolve rocks.
21
Question
What is oxidation in the context of chemical weathering?
Answer
Oxidation occurs when free oxygen combines chemically with metallic elements, such as the rusting of iron.
22
Question
What is the relationship between climate and chemical weathering rates?
Answer
Chemical reactions occur faster at higher temperatures and often require water; therefore, chemical weathering rates are higher in warmer climates.
23
Question
What role does rock type play in chemical weathering?
Answer
Some minerals are more resistant to chemical weathering, such as quartz, while others are easily weathered chemically.
24
Question
How does surface area influence weathering rates?
Answer
Weathering occurs at the surface of rock particles, so increasing the surface area of rocks can significantly influence weathering rates.
25
Question
What is the significance of the question 41 from the most recent Regents exam?
Answer
Question 41 from the most recent Regents exam is a prompt that may relate to the fundamentals of weathering and erosion.