click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Earth Science
E.S. Chapter 5 Section 1-2
Term | Definition |
---|---|
weathering | The breaking down and changing of rocks at or near Earth's surfaced called __________ |
mechanical weathering | _________ ________ occurs when physical forces break rock into smaller and smaller pieces without changing the rock's mineral composition |
9% | How much does liquid water expand when it freezes? |
frost wedging | When water freezes and expands, it enlarges the cracks. After many freeze-thaw cycles, the rock breaks into pieces. This process is called _____ _________ |
talus | Sections of rock that are wedged loose may tumble into large piles called _____ |
unloading | Large masses of rock may be exposed through uplift and erosion of overlaying rocks. When that happens, the pressure exerted on igneous rocks is reduced. This is known as ________. |
water | What is the most important agent of chemical weathering? |
sulfur & nitrogen oxides | Water in the atmosphere also absorbs ______ & ________ oxides |
regolith | Weathering, produces a layer of rock & mineral fragments called _______, which covers nearly all of Earth's land surface |
soil texture | ____ _______ refers to the proportions of different particle sizes |
quickly | sandy soils may drain and dry out too _______ |
difficulty | Plants roots often have ________ penetrating soils that often contain a high percentage of clay and silt. |
loams | _____ are the best for plant growth as they retain water better and store more nutrients. |
thicker | The longer a soil has been forming, the _______ it becomes |
climate | What has the greatest effect on soil formation? |
plants | What is the main source of organic matter in soil? |
rapidly | Plants that die in tropical rain forest decompose ______ bc bacterial activity is high in hot & wet climates |
gullies | As more water enters the rills, they erode the soil further, creating trenches called _______ |