Weathering Packet – Questions and Answers
Surface Activity on Earth
What is the principle of uniformity?
The principle of uniformity states that the processes that changed the Earth in the past are still
at work today.
What is weathering?
Weathering is the breaking down of the lithosphere by wind, water, ice, plants, and chemical
changes.
What is the lithosphere?
The lithosphere is the solid part of Earth. (Crust and upper mantle)
Does weathering ever stop? Why or why not?
Weathering does not ever stop. It is a constant process that is happening around us at all times.
What is affected by weathering?
All substances that are exposed to the atmosphere are affected by weathering.
How Fast Does Weathering Occur?
What is an example of a rock that is easily weathered and a rock that is resistant to weathering?
A rock that is easily weathered is sandstone while granite is very resistant to weathering.
Why is the condition of a rock an important factor?
Rocks that have cracks or holes in them to begin with will weather at a much faster rate.
What climate is the most conductive to rapid weathering?
Rapid weathering will occur in a climate with a lot of moisture and heat, such as a tropical
rainforest.
Burning fossil fuels creates air pollution. How does this affect the rate of weathering?
Fossil fuels create carbonation that increases the rate of weathering on all surfaces.
Why is a desert an area of slow weathering?
There is little moisture or pollution in desert areas so weathering is slower there.
Mechanical Weathering
What is mechanical weathering?
Mechanical weathering is the process of breaking down rocks.
What is exfoliation?
Peeling or flaking of rock in layers that are parallel to the rock surface is exfoliation.
What is ice wedging?
Ice wedging happens when ice makes cracks in rocks larger.
What is root-pry?
A tree’s roots grow in a crack or opening in a rock and cause the rock to break apart.
What is an example of mechanical weathering by gravity?
Landslides are an example (from the reading) of mechanical weathering by gravity.
Chemical Weathering
How does chemical weathering differ from mechanical weathering?
Mechanical weathering alters only the size of rocks, chemical weathering changes the chemical
makeup of the minerals that make up the rock.
What type of weathering produces rust?
Oxidation is the type of weathering that produces rust.
How is acid rain formed?
Acid rain forms when carbon dioxide dissolves in rain water.
Acid rain is an example of which type of chemical weathering?
Acid rain is an example of carbonation.
What are humic acids?
Humic acids are plant acids that can break down rocks.