ABEKA Earth & Space
Science-Chapter 5
Section 1: Weathering
1. What is weathering?
A: Weathering is the process by which rocks are broken down by natural forces such
as wind, water, and temperature changes.
2. What are the two main types of weathering?
A: Mechanical (physical) weathering and chemical weathering.
3. Give an example of mechanical weathering.
A: Frost wedging—when water seeps into cracks, freezes, and expands, breaking the
rock apart.
4. What is chemical weathering?
A: The process that breaks down rock through chemical changes, often involving
water and atmospheric gases.
5. Name one agent of chemical weathering.
A: Carbonic acid, which forms when carbon dioxide dissolves in rainwater.
Section 2: Erosion
6. What is erosion?
A: Erosion is the movement of weathered material from one location to another.
, 7. What are the main agents of erosion?
A: Water, wind, ice (glaciers), and gravity.
8. What is a common landform created by water erosion?
A: Valleys or canyons (e.g., the Grand Canyon).
9. How do glaciers cause erosion?
A: By scraping and grinding the land as they move, a process called glacial abrasion.
10. What is mass wasting?
A: The downslope movement of soil and rock due to gravity, such as landslides and
mudflows.
Section 3: Soil Formation and Conservation
11. What is soil?
A: Soil is a mixture of weathered rock, organic matter, water, and air that supports
plant life.
12. What is humus?
A: Decayed organic material in soil, essential for fertility.
13. What are the soil horizons?
A: Layers of soil—A horizon (topsoil), B horizon (subsoil), and C horizon (partially
weathered rock).
14. What is leaching?
A: The process by which water carries dissolved nutrients deeper into the soil,
sometimes out of reach of plant roots.
15. Why is soil conservation important?
A: To prevent erosion and maintain fertile land for agriculture and natural
ecosystems.
Science-Chapter 5
Section 1: Weathering
1. What is weathering?
A: Weathering is the process by which rocks are broken down by natural forces such
as wind, water, and temperature changes.
2. What are the two main types of weathering?
A: Mechanical (physical) weathering and chemical weathering.
3. Give an example of mechanical weathering.
A: Frost wedging—when water seeps into cracks, freezes, and expands, breaking the
rock apart.
4. What is chemical weathering?
A: The process that breaks down rock through chemical changes, often involving
water and atmospheric gases.
5. Name one agent of chemical weathering.
A: Carbonic acid, which forms when carbon dioxide dissolves in rainwater.
Section 2: Erosion
6. What is erosion?
A: Erosion is the movement of weathered material from one location to another.
, 7. What are the main agents of erosion?
A: Water, wind, ice (glaciers), and gravity.
8. What is a common landform created by water erosion?
A: Valleys or canyons (e.g., the Grand Canyon).
9. How do glaciers cause erosion?
A: By scraping and grinding the land as they move, a process called glacial abrasion.
10. What is mass wasting?
A: The downslope movement of soil and rock due to gravity, such as landslides and
mudflows.
Section 3: Soil Formation and Conservation
11. What is soil?
A: Soil is a mixture of weathered rock, organic matter, water, and air that supports
plant life.
12. What is humus?
A: Decayed organic material in soil, essential for fertility.
13. What are the soil horizons?
A: Layers of soil—A horizon (topsoil), B horizon (subsoil), and C horizon (partially
weathered rock).
14. What is leaching?
A: The process by which water carries dissolved nutrients deeper into the soil,
sometimes out of reach of plant roots.
15. Why is soil conservation important?
A: To prevent erosion and maintain fertile land for agriculture and natural
ecosystems.
