Weathering and erosion
The process by which Earth material is broken down in situ into smaller pieces is called
weathering
Earth's only natural satellite.
What is the Moon?
At this type of boundary, plates move apart.
What is a divergent boundary?
The outermost solid layer of the Earth.
What is the crust?
The process that moves weathered material from one place to another.
What is erosion?
What agents affect weathering?
Temperature changes
water
plants
winds
This planet is known as the "Red Planet."
What is Mars?
The theory that explains the movement of Earth's plates.
What is plate tectonics?
The crust is primarily composed of this type of rock.
What are igneous rocks?
The planet with the most moons.
What is Jupiter?
This type of weathering involves the breakdown of rocks through physical processes like freezing and thawing.
What is mechanical weathering?
The largest planet in our solar system.
What is Jupiter?
Plates move at an average rate of this many centimeters per year.
What is a few centimeters per year?
The outer core is unique because it is in this physical state.
What is liquid?
This type of weathering changes the chemical composition of rocks, often involving water and acids.
What is chemical weathering?
The dwarf planet located in the Kuiper Belt.
What is Pluto?
This famous fault in California is an example of a transform boundary.
What is the San Andreas Fault?
The asthenosphere is part of this layer and allows plates to move.
What is the mantle?
These waves move side-to-side and only travel through solids.
What are S-waves (Secondary waves)?
The process where living organisms contribute to rock breakdown, such as roots growing into cracks.
What is biological weathering?
The Sun produces energy through this process.
What is nuclear fusion?
The driving force behind plate movement comes from this process in the mantle.
What is convection?
The approximate temperature at Earth’s inner core.
What is about 5,000–6,000°C?
This layer is responsible for Earth’s magnetic field.
What is the outer core?