Geography 2051 Exam 2 - Namikas (LSU) With complete
solu!on| Updated 2026
Weathering
the breakdown of earth materials into smaller components
Physical Weathering
involves physical forces (pushing/pulling) breaking down earth materials
Chemical Weathering
the process that breaks down rock through molecular changes using water
Parent Material
The original rock or soil type
Regolith
the substance that parent materials of rocks break down into before turning into soil
Soil
the result of weathering of rock from parent material to regolith then to this substance
What are some factors/controls of weathering?
*LOOK AT NOTES*
-Nature of Parent Materials/Rocks
-Climate (moisture levels & temperatures)
-Hydrology
-Topography
-Vegeta)on
Join)ng & it's effects on rocks
joints are cracks in rocks; they affect the solubility and rate of weathering in/on rocks
Moh's Hardness Scale
A scale ranking ten minerals from so0est to hardest; used in tes)ng the hardness of minerals
How does climate affect weathering?
,Precipita)on influences how strong/weak weathering is, as well as rates
& temperature influences which type of weathering occurs
What type of weathering occurs in hot climates?
Chemical weathering
What type of weathering occurs in cold climates?
Physical weathering
Hydrology
the study of movement of water
How does hydrology affect weathering?
It influences the rates & strength of weathering
(more exposed to water=higher rate of weathering)
Topography
the shape and physical character of Earth's surface
Microclimate
very small areas in which topography and hydrology affect vegeta)on and water movement
(which in turn affects weathering)
Vegeta)on such as root wedge/root pry _____ weathering
enhance
Vegeta)on such as biological controls ____ weathering
inhibit
Most physical weathering processes result in...
jagged pieces
Most chemical weathering processes result in...
rounded pieces
What are some types of physical weathering processes?
-frost ac)on/freeze-thaw
-root wedging
, -crystalliza)on
-pressure-release (exfolia)on/spalling)
Root Wedging
a physical weathering process in which plant roots break rocks apart
Crystalliza)on (aka salt wedging)
a physical weathering process in which salt crystals grow in pore spaces on a rock's surface and
dislodge individual mineral grains within the rock
Pressure-Release (Exfolia)on/Spalling)
the tremendous pressure rocks are exposed to at the surface causes them to break
Frost Ac)on (aka Freeze-Thaw)
water that's between cracks in rocks freezes and thaws & causes the rock to sha;er
What are some examples of chemical weathering processes?
-oxida)on
-hydrolysis
-carbona)on
-solu)on
Oxida)on
commonly known as "rus)ng"; oxides in rock forma)ons cause weakness and allow rocks to
break down
Hydrolysis
the chemical breakdown of a compound due to reac)on with water (water breaks down
feldspar in granite)
Carbona)on
process by which minerals reacts with carbonic acid; effec)ve in a;acking limestones
Solu)on
a mixture that forms when one substance dissolves another (carbona)on is an example)
Karst Topography
solu!on| Updated 2026
Weathering
the breakdown of earth materials into smaller components
Physical Weathering
involves physical forces (pushing/pulling) breaking down earth materials
Chemical Weathering
the process that breaks down rock through molecular changes using water
Parent Material
The original rock or soil type
Regolith
the substance that parent materials of rocks break down into before turning into soil
Soil
the result of weathering of rock from parent material to regolith then to this substance
What are some factors/controls of weathering?
*LOOK AT NOTES*
-Nature of Parent Materials/Rocks
-Climate (moisture levels & temperatures)
-Hydrology
-Topography
-Vegeta)on
Join)ng & it's effects on rocks
joints are cracks in rocks; they affect the solubility and rate of weathering in/on rocks
Moh's Hardness Scale
A scale ranking ten minerals from so0est to hardest; used in tes)ng the hardness of minerals
How does climate affect weathering?
,Precipita)on influences how strong/weak weathering is, as well as rates
& temperature influences which type of weathering occurs
What type of weathering occurs in hot climates?
Chemical weathering
What type of weathering occurs in cold climates?
Physical weathering
Hydrology
the study of movement of water
How does hydrology affect weathering?
It influences the rates & strength of weathering
(more exposed to water=higher rate of weathering)
Topography
the shape and physical character of Earth's surface
Microclimate
very small areas in which topography and hydrology affect vegeta)on and water movement
(which in turn affects weathering)
Vegeta)on such as root wedge/root pry _____ weathering
enhance
Vegeta)on such as biological controls ____ weathering
inhibit
Most physical weathering processes result in...
jagged pieces
Most chemical weathering processes result in...
rounded pieces
What are some types of physical weathering processes?
-frost ac)on/freeze-thaw
-root wedging
, -crystalliza)on
-pressure-release (exfolia)on/spalling)
Root Wedging
a physical weathering process in which plant roots break rocks apart
Crystalliza)on (aka salt wedging)
a physical weathering process in which salt crystals grow in pore spaces on a rock's surface and
dislodge individual mineral grains within the rock
Pressure-Release (Exfolia)on/Spalling)
the tremendous pressure rocks are exposed to at the surface causes them to break
Frost Ac)on (aka Freeze-Thaw)
water that's between cracks in rocks freezes and thaws & causes the rock to sha;er
What are some examples of chemical weathering processes?
-oxida)on
-hydrolysis
-carbona)on
-solu)on
Oxida)on
commonly known as "rus)ng"; oxides in rock forma)ons cause weakness and allow rocks to
break down
Hydrolysis
the chemical breakdown of a compound due to reac)on with water (water breaks down
feldspar in granite)
Carbona)on
process by which minerals reacts with carbonic acid; effec)ve in a;acking limestones
Solu)on
a mixture that forms when one substance dissolves another (carbona)on is an example)
Karst Topography
