Weathering and Erosion
This process breaks rocks into smaller pieces without changing their chemical composition.
Physical weathering
This landform is formed where a river slows down and drops sediment, often creating a fan-shaped area at the mouth of the river.
Delta
Cutting down forests leads to fewer trees. Name one direct environmental consequence discussed in the study materials.
Increased soil erosion (or decreased biodiversity, less wildlife)
Which type of weathering involves chemical reactions (for example, acid rain reacting with marble)?
Chemical weathering
Define "Weathering" in one short sentence.
the breaking down of rock into smaller pieces.
This is the movement of sediments from one place to another by wind, water, or gravity.
Erosion
These wind-formed mounds are commonly found on beaches and deserts and are built by deposition of sand.
Sand dune
Builders clear trees to build a new neighborhood. Which effect listed in the assessment best describes an immediate result of removing trees?
An increase in soil erosion (or loss of trees leading to erosion)
Which process is best described as a constructive force that builds up Earth’s surface by dropping sediment?
Deposition (constructive process)
`Define "Erosion" in one short sentence.
the movement of sediments from one place to another.
When water enters cracks in rock, freezes, and expands, causing the rock to crack and break apart, this specific type of weathering has occurred.
Physical weathering
On the same coastline you may find high rocky cliffs and small sandy beaches. Which processes produced the cliffs and which produced the beaches?
Cliffs formed by weathering and erosion; beaches formed by deposition
Urban areas often have more air pollution than rural areas. Give two reasons from the materials why urban areas tend to have increased air pollution.
More cars and buses; fewer green areas and more paved surfaces (leading to pollution and less filtration)
Identify which choice describes the primary process that forms sinkholes in limestone regions.
Chemical weathering (dissolving limestone)
Define "Deposition" in one short sentence.
the dropping or settling of sediments to form new landforms.
Arches in Utah formed when rock broke and blew away. Which two processes caused this?
Weathering and Erosion
Which of these lakes from the table (Annie: 90 acres, 68 ft deep; George: 46,000 acres, 10 ft deep; Okeechobee: 467,000 acres, 11 ft deep; Washington: 4,364 acres, 13 ft deep) is most likely a sinkhole lake and why?
Lake Annie (small area, great depth) is most likely a sinkhole lake because sinkhole lakes tend to be deep relative to surface area
List the correct sequence of steps for conducting a controlled scientific experiment as given in the study guide/assessment.
Define a problem → Form a hypothesis → Gather data → Form a conclusion
A park has arches formed when pieces of rock crumble and blow away over time due to temperature changes and wind. Which two processes (choose from weathering, erosion, deposition, compaction, cementation) best explain how the arches formed?
Weathering and erosion
What is a "Delta"? Provide a brief definition.
a landform at the mouth of a river where sediment is deposited, often fan-shaped.
A bucket of water eroded more sand than a cup of water. What did this show?
More water = more erosion. Greater water flow exerts more force and moves more sediment
Describe how sediments that originally came from mountains could end up in Florida (give the processes and agents involved).
Sediments transported by rivers and streams (and possibly wind) from mountains, carried downstream by erosion, and deposited in Florida via deposition in river deltas and coastal areas
Explain why scientists ask others to replicate experiments and how this relates to the term given in the study guide. Use the correct science term in your answer.
To confirm results — replication checks reliability; term: replicable (other scientists repeat to confirm findings)
Compare and contrast physical weathering and chemical weathering. Give one clear example of each from the materials.
Physical weathering: mechanical breakdown without chemical change (example: freeze-thaw/ice wedging).
Chemical weathering: rock changed by chemical reactions (example: acid rain dissolving marble).
Using vocabulary from the study guide, write a student-friendly definition for "Replicable" and explain why it's important in experiments.
Replicable — able to be repeated by other scientists to confirm results; important because it verifies reliability and validity of findings.