Vocabulary
The physical breakdown or chemical decomposition of rock materials exposed at Earth's surface.
weathering
The term for a collision of rocks that results in the breaking and wearing away of the rocks.
abrasion
Example: Rocks with iron that turn to rust.
Reactions with oxygen/oxidation
Which are the main causes of crack growth in rocks over time? (there are two)
plant roots and ice wedging
The process by which rock is broken down into smaller pieces by physical changes
physical weathering
When water seeps into cracks in rock and then freezes, and pushes the rock apart.
ice wedging
Example: Acids in the atmosphere are created when chemicals combine with water in the air
Reactions with acid precipitation
Plants and animals cause weathering of rock
True
Breakdown of rocks through chemical reactions
chemical weathering
A rise in this will cause the rock to expand and a decrease will cause the rock to contract, causing the rock to crumble
Temperature change
As groundwater moves through spaces or cracks in rock, acids in the water can cause rocks to dissolve
Reactions with acids in groundwater
Rocks cannot be weathered by wind and chemicals in the air.
False
The breaking down and wearing away of rock material by the mechanical action of other rock
abrasion
Animals dig burrows into the ground, exposing more rock
Animal action
Example: Moss on rocks can weather rock's surface
Reaction with acids in living things
What are the 3 agents that cause abrasion?
Wind, water and gravity
Rain, sleet or snow that occurs with high concentrations of acids
acid precipitation
roots growing and eventually splitting the rock
plant growth
How could the decaying leaves affect the rocks in the soil underneath them?
They could increase the amount of chemical weathering.
Explain the steps of ice wedging. (4 steps)
Water enter rocks in cracks
Water freezes and expands rock
Crack will widen allowing more water to enter
Expands more eventually splitting/breaking rock
Process by which other chemicals combine with oxygen
oxidation
rocks formed under pressure deep within Earth can be exposed at the surface.
pressure change
How does acid precipitation cause rocks to be weathered more easily?
They weaken the rock therefore the rock will crumble more easily.
Oxidation is a type of physical weathering.
False