Weathering & Erosion
Give an example of Biological Weathering
Tree roots eg
What are sedimentary rocks?
Rocks formed from sediments that are compacted and cemented together.
What are igneous rocks?
Rocks formed from cooled magma or lava.
What does “metamorphic” mean?
Changes
What two processes turns sediment into sedimentary rock?
Compaction and cementation.
State one difference between weathering and erosion.
Weathering breaks down rock; erosion moves it.
What is sediment?
Small pieces of rock, minerals, or organic material.
Give a key feature of igneous Rocks
Crystals
What is hardness in minerals?
Resistance to scratching.
What is the rock cycle?
The continuous process where rocks are formed, broken down, and changed into different types.
Name the three types of weathering.
Physical, chemical, and biological.
What is cementation?
Minerals glue sediments together.
What is the difference between intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks?
Intrusive form underground; extrusive form at the surface.
What two main factors cause metamorphism?
Heat and pressure.
What process forms igneous rocks from molten material?
Cooling and solidification of magma or lava.
How does Weathering & Erosion play into the rock cycle
- Breaks rocks down into sediments
- Carries bits to new location
How can sedimentary rocks provide evidence about past environments?
They contain fossils and layers showing past conditions.
How does cooling rate affect crystal size in igneous rocks?
Slow cooling forms large crystals; fast cooling forms small crystals.
What is foliation?
Layers or bands formed in rock due to pressure.
Describe how a sedimentary rock can become a metamorphic rock.
Through heat and pressure.
how human activities can increase the rate of erosion.
Eg. Activities like deforestation and construction remove vegetation and expose soil.
- Layering
- Fossils
-Grains
What might cause an igneous rock to float on water
- Quick cooling (extrusive)
- Captures air bubbles
Name 5 Properties used to classify a mineral?
- Hardness
- Lustre
- Reactivity
- Streak
-Colour
- Specific Gravity
Describe a complete pathway from igneous rock to sedimentary rock.
Igneous rock → weathering → sediments → compaction and cementation → sedimentary rock.