Weathering Final Test Questions and Answers

Weathering Final Test Questions and Answers Weathering - Answer-the disintegration and decomposition of rocks at or near Earth's surface Mass wasting - Answer-the transfer of rock and soil downslope under the influence of gravity Erosion - Answer-the physical removal of material by mobile agents such as water wind or ice Mechanical weathering - Answer-is accomplished by physical forces that break down rock into smaller and smaller pieces without changing the rock's mineral composition Chemical weathering - Answer-involves a chemical transformation of rock into one or more compounds Frost wedging - Answer-after water works its way into the cracks in rock the freezing water enlarges the cracks and angular fragments are eventually produced Salt crystal growth - Answer-sea spray penetrates crevices and pore space in rock, as the water evaporates salt crystals form and gradually grow larger Sheeting - Answer-large masses of igneous rock particularly those composed of granite are exposed by erosion, concentric slabs begin to break loose Unloading - Answer-happens when a great reduction in pressure occurs when the overlying rock is eroded away Exfoliation domes - Answer-when continued weathering eventually causes the slabs of rock to separate and spall off Joints - Answer-when tectonic forces during mountain produce a definite pattern of fractures Why are joints important rock structures? - Answer-because they allow water to penetrate deeply and start the process of weathering long before the rock is exposed Biological activity - Answer-activities of organisms that cause weathering. How do plants cause weathering? - Answer-biological weathering where the roots grow into rock fractures and wedge the rock apart How do animals cause weathering? - Answer-biological weathering, burrowing moves fresh material to the surface where physical and chemical processes can more effectively attack it