Skills Worksheet
Chapter 10 (Weathering and Soil Formation)
Section 1 (Weathering)
pgs. 278-283
MECHANICAL WEATHERING
_____1.
Mechanical weathering is the breakdown of rock into smaller pieces by
a. warm weather.
b. cold weather.
c. chemical processes.
d. physical means.
_____2.
Ice, wind, water, gravity, plants, and animals can all be agents of
a. mechanical weathering.
b. chemical weathering.
c. chemical processes.
d. abrasion.
_____3.
The alternate freezing and thawing of soil and rock is called
a. frost action.
b. abrasion.
c. oxidation.
d. chemical processes.
_____4.
Ice wedging occurs when water filling a crack in a rock
a. flows out and then freezes.
b. freezes and contracts.
c. freezes and expands.
d. flows out and causes abrasion.
5. The grinding and wearing away of rock surfaces through the mechanical action
of other rocks or sand particles is called .______________________
6. Explain how a plant can break a rock.
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
7. In what way can an animal cause mechanical weathering?
_______________________________________________________________
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_______________________________________ ______________________ __________________
CHEMICAL WEATHERING
8. The process by which rocks break down as a result of chemical
reactions is called
a. abrasion.
b. mechanical weathering.
c. chemical weathering.
d. acid precipitation.
9. Rain, sleet, or snow that contains a high concentration of acids is called
a. mechanical weathering.
b. acid precipitation.
c. chemical weathering.
d. abrasion.
10. Compounds formed by the burning of fossil fuels combine with water in the
atmosphere to form
a. phosphoric acids.
b. acetic acids.
c. carbon monoxide.
d. weak acids.
Section 2 (Rates of Weathering) pgs. 284-287
1. List (bullet) the three factors that determine the rate at which rock weathers.
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DIFFERENTIAL WEATHERING
___2.
The process by which softer, less weather-resistant rocks wear away
and leave harder, more weather-resistant rocks behind is called
a. mechanical weathering.
b. chemical weathering.
c. differential weathering.
d. acid precipitation.
___3.
Scientists believe Devil’s Tower once was part of a
a. volcano.
b. larger piece of granite.
c. karst landscape.
d. ventifact.
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Holt Science and Technology
Weathering and Soil Formation
_______________________________________ ______________________ __________________
___4.
The landform called Devil’s Tower is made up of the hard, weatherresistant rocks that remained after the softer rocks
a. karsted.
b. oxidized.
c. tumbled in a riverbed.
d. wore away.
THE SHAPE OF ROCKS
___5.
Weathering takes place
a. at different rates, depending on weight.
b. on the outer surface of rocks.
c. on all rocks equally.
d. inside the rocks.
___6.
Because of a large rock’s large volume, it will
a. weather unevenly.
b. weather relatively quickly.
c. not weather at all.
d. weather relatively slowly.
7.Small rocks weather ___________ quickly than large rocks because they have
more surface area as compared to their ______________________________.
WEATHERING AND CLIMATE
8. The average weather condition in an area over a long period of time is called
______________________.
9. Chemical weathering such as oxidation occurs more quickly in a climate that
is ______________________ and ______________________.
WEATHERING AND ELEVATION
10. Weathering occurs faster at high elevations because of
a. an increase in wind but not ice or rain.
b. an increase in ice and rain but not wind.
c. a decrease in wind, ice, and rain.
d. an increase in wind, ice, and rain.
11. How does gravity contribute to the weathering of steep mountain slopes?
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Original content Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to the original content are the responsibility of the instructor.
Holt Science and Technology
Weathering and Soil Formation
_______________________________________ ______________________ __________________
Section 3 (From Bedrock to Soil) pgs. 288-293
THE SOURCE OF SOIL
Match the correct description with the correct term. Write the letter in the space
____1.
soil that is blown or washed away from its
parent rock
____2.
the layer of rock beneath the soil
____3.
a loose mixture of small mineral fragments,
organic material, water, and air that can
support the growth of vegetation
____4.
the rock formation that is the source of mineral
fragments in the soil
____5.
soil that remains above its parent rock
a. soil
b. transported
soil
c. residual soil
d. parent rock
e. bedrock
6. The organic material formed in soil from the decayed remains of plants and
animals is called __________________________________
7. Because of the way soil forms, soil often ends up in a series of horizontal
layers called __________________________________________.
8.The top layer of soil, often called __________________________, usually contains
more humus than the layers below it.
9. The removal of substances that can be dissolved from rock and soil due to
water passing through is called __________________________________.
SOIL AND CLIMATE
Match the correct description with the correct term. Write the letter in the space
provided.
____10.
climate with low temperatures and slow
soil formation, resulting in thin soil that
cannot support many plants
____ 11. climate with heavy rain that leaches
precious nutrients from the topsoil
a. desert
b. temperate forest
and grassland
c. tropical rain
forest
d. arctic areas
____ 12. climate with enough rain to cause a high
level of chemical weathering, but not so
much that the nutrients are leached out of
the soil
____ 13. climate with less than 25 cm of rain per yr
Original content Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to the original content are the responsibility of the instructor.
Holt Science and Technology
Weathering and Soil Formation