Question | Answer |
is the process that breaks down rock and other material on Earth’s surface. | Weathering |
is the movement of broken down rock particles by wind, water, or ice. | Erosion |
two types of weathering: | Mechanical (Physical) and Chemical |
is when rock is broken down physically. | Mechanical weathering |
The grinding away of rock particles by other rock particles carried by wind, water, or ice. | Abrasion |
When water freezes in a crack of a rock, the water expands and makes the crack larger. This will happen over and over again until the rock eventually breaks. | Freezing and Thawing |
When water freezes in a crack of a rock, the water expands and makes the crack larger. This will happen over and over again until the rock eventually breaks. This process is also called | ice wedging |
Rock can be heated by the sun very quickly and it might start to flake. Rain can quicken this process by cooling the rock fast and causing
it to crack. | Heating and Cooling |
Animals that dig in the soil can loosen and break apart rock while they are digging. | Animal Actions |
Roots of plants may enter cracks in rock, as they grow they can make the crack in the rock larger and even break it over time. | Plant Growth- |
is the process that breaks down rock through chemical changes. | Chemical weathering |
The agents of chemical weathering are | water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, living organisms, and acid rain. |
Water is the most important agent of chemical weathering because it can dissolve almost anything over time, even rock. That is why water is known as the universal solvent because it can dissolve so many things. | Water |
Oxygen plus water can lead to some rocks and metals rusting in a process known as oxidation. | Oxygen |
If _______ dissolves in water it can produce a weak acid that will weather some rock. | Carbon Dioxide |
Some plants roots produce week acids that help break down rock as they grow. | Living Organisms |
Air pollution can cause acids to form in clouds which produce acid rain, which can break down rock. | Acid Rain |
Is the loose weathered material on Earth’s surface in which plants can grow. Made of rock, minerals, air, water, and humus. | Soil |
Soil is made of the following substances: | * rock
* minerals
* air
* water
* Humus
Soil Horizons |
Some decomposers are: | * Earthworms
* Protists
* Bacteria
* Fungi |