ESS 101 - Exam 2 Revision Test
Questions and All Correct Answers
2025-2026 Rated A+.
Weathering - Answer physical and chemical way to break down rock
Erosion - Answer removal of material by water, wind, ice
Mechanical weathering - Answer physically breaking of rocks into smaller pieces
Frost wedging - 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 - Answer type of weathering - expansion of rock from removal/erosion of overlying
rock
also called "sheeting"
Thermal expansion and contraction - Answer type of weathering where vertical columns are
formed when magma is cooling and shrinking
"columnar jointing"
Biological weathering - Answer type of weathering where tree roots grow into cracks in rocks
and break it down
Dissolution - Answer a mineral dissolves in water
(calcite helps form caves, sinkholes)
Oxidation - Answer any reaction when electrons are lost from one element (rusting)
Hydrolysis - Answer a mineral reacts with water to form a new mineral (usually clay, Recitation
Hall)
, 5% organic matter
25% water
25% air - Answer percentages of composition of soil
Parent material - Answer factor controlling soil formation
- different rocks leave different residual products behind
- limestone, shale, sandstone, gravel, etc.
Time - Answer factor controlling soil formation
- a young soil will have thin horizon and will be less developed than old soil
Climate - Answer factor controlling soil formation
- primarily temperature and precipitation
- most influential control of soil formation
- warm, moist places form thick soils; dry places form thin soils
Plants and animals - Answer factor controlling soil formation
- plants provide organic material to soil
- animals aerate the soil
Topography - Answer factor controlling soil formation
- steep slopes often have poorly developed soils
- optimum terrain is a flat-to-undulating (middle US)
A horizon - Answer -top layer of soil
- organic and mineral matter
- high biological activity
- makes up topsoil with O horizon
B horizon - Answer - middle layer of soil
- zone of clay accumulation
Questions and All Correct Answers
2025-2026 Rated A+.
Weathering - Answer physical and chemical way to break down rock
Erosion - Answer removal of material by water, wind, ice
Mechanical weathering - Answer physically breaking of rocks into smaller pieces
Frost wedging - 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 - Answer type of weathering - expansion of rock from removal/erosion of overlying
rock
also called "sheeting"
Thermal expansion and contraction - Answer type of weathering where vertical columns are
formed when magma is cooling and shrinking
"columnar jointing"
Biological weathering - Answer type of weathering where tree roots grow into cracks in rocks
and break it down
Dissolution - Answer a mineral dissolves in water
(calcite helps form caves, sinkholes)
Oxidation - Answer any reaction when electrons are lost from one element (rusting)
Hydrolysis - Answer a mineral reacts with water to form a new mineral (usually clay, Recitation
Hall)
, 5% organic matter
25% water
25% air - Answer percentages of composition of soil
Parent material - Answer factor controlling soil formation
- different rocks leave different residual products behind
- limestone, shale, sandstone, gravel, etc.
Time - Answer factor controlling soil formation
- a young soil will have thin horizon and will be less developed than old soil
Climate - Answer factor controlling soil formation
- primarily temperature and precipitation
- most influential control of soil formation
- warm, moist places form thick soils; dry places form thin soils
Plants and animals - Answer factor controlling soil formation
- plants provide organic material to soil
- animals aerate the soil
Topography - Answer factor controlling soil formation
- steep slopes often have poorly developed soils
- optimum terrain is a flat-to-undulating (middle US)
A horizon - Answer -top layer of soil
- organic and mineral matter
- high biological activity
- makes up topsoil with O horizon
B horizon - Answer - middle layer of soil
- zone of clay accumulation
