ESS 101 - Exam 2 Prep 2026/2027 |
Comprehensive Study Guide & Practice
Test
Weathering - correct answer-physical and chemical way to break down rock
Erosion - correct answer-removal of material by water, wind, ice
Mechanical weathering - correct answer-physically breaking of rocks into smaller
pieces
Frost wedging - correct answer-type of weathering where water enters cracks in
rocks, water freezes and expands against walls of rock, cracks enlarged and
intervening rock is dislodged
Unloading - correct answer-type of weathering - expansion of rock from
removal/erosion of overlying rock
also called "sheeting"
Thermal expansion and contraction - correct answer-type of weathering where
vertical columns are formed when magma is cooling and shrinking
"columnar jointing"
, Biological weathering - correct answer-type of weathering where tree roots grow
into cracks in rocks and break it down
Dissolution - correct answer-a mineral dissolves in water
(calcite helps form caves, sinkholes)
Oxidation - correct answer-any reaction when electrons are lost from one
element (rusting)
Hydrolysis - correct answer-a mineral reacts with water to form a new mineral
(usually clay, Recitation Hall)
Soil - correct answer-- a product of weathering
- a combination of mineral and organic matter, water, and air
45% mineral matter
5% organic matter
25% water
25% air - correct answer-percentages of composition of soil
Parent material - correct answer-factor controlling soil formation
- different rocks leave different residual products behind
- limestone, shale, sandstone, gravel, etc.
Time - correct answer-factor controlling soil formation
Comprehensive Study Guide & Practice
Test
Weathering - correct answer-physical and chemical way to break down rock
Erosion - correct answer-removal of material by water, wind, ice
Mechanical weathering - correct answer-physically breaking of rocks into smaller
pieces
Frost wedging - correct answer-type of weathering where water enters cracks in
rocks, water freezes and expands against walls of rock, cracks enlarged and
intervening rock is dislodged
Unloading - correct answer-type of weathering - expansion of rock from
removal/erosion of overlying rock
also called "sheeting"
Thermal expansion and contraction - correct answer-type of weathering where
vertical columns are formed when magma is cooling and shrinking
"columnar jointing"
, Biological weathering - correct answer-type of weathering where tree roots grow
into cracks in rocks and break it down
Dissolution - correct answer-a mineral dissolves in water
(calcite helps form caves, sinkholes)
Oxidation - correct answer-any reaction when electrons are lost from one
element (rusting)
Hydrolysis - correct answer-a mineral reacts with water to form a new mineral
(usually clay, Recitation Hall)
Soil - correct answer-- a product of weathering
- a combination of mineral and organic matter, water, and air
45% mineral matter
5% organic matter
25% water
25% air - correct answer-percentages of composition of soil
Parent material - correct answer-factor controlling soil formation
- different rocks leave different residual products behind
- limestone, shale, sandstone, gravel, etc.
Time - correct answer-factor controlling soil formation
