SPECTRA OF SCIENCE
BLIZZARD BAG #3:
Weathering and Erosion
Instructions: Read Section 4 from Chapter 21 in your Spectra textbook
(pgs. 725-730) about Weathering and Erosion. Fill out the cloze
procedure notes for this section as you read. Then, record the answers to
the questions that follow on the answer sheet provided. Bring the notes
and answer sheet back to class to be collected and graded for accuracy.
Due on April 28, 2014
Weathering and Erosion (21.4) Notes
Over time, forces such as ______________ and _______________ can make vast changes in the
landscape of Earth.
Physical
Physical, or _______________________, weathering breaks rock into smaller pieces, but does not alter
Weathering
their ______________________ composition. __________________ by wind or water are examples of
physical weathering.
_____________ _____________________ occurs when water seeps into cracks or joints of rock and
freezes. This causes the volume to increase by 10%, pushing the rock apart. Every time the water thaws
and refreezes, it wedges ___________________ into the rock.
The ______________ of plants can also act as a ________________ as they grow into cracks in the
rocks.
Chemical
_______________________ weathering breaks down rock by altering its chemical composition.
Weathering
One example is when carbon dioxide from the air dissolves in rainwater creating __________________
acid which reacts with some minerals in rocks.
____________________ react chemically with water. Often minerals dissolve in water and are
transported to lower layers of rocks. This process is called ____________________.
Water can also carry dissolved oxygen that reacts with the minerals causing a type of chemical
weathering called ______________________.
When fossil fuels are burned, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released and may react with water in
clouds to form _____________ or nitrous acid and sulfuric acid. These clouds form precipitation that
falls to Earth as _____________ ____________________________. It causes damage to both living
organisms and inorganic matter.
Erosion
Erosion is the removal and ______________________________ of weathered and non-weathered
material by running water, wind, waves, ice, underground water, and gravity.
________________ is the most effective physical weathering agent. Quickly moving rivers can carry
away a lot of sediment and create extraordinary ________________________.
The process of depositing sediments is called ______________________________. The areas near
continental boundaries where large deposits of sediments are laid down are called ______________.
They often have rich, fertile soil.
On seashores, the waves crash onto land, creating tall _____________and jagged coastlines.
Large masses of ice, such as __________________can carve the surfaces it moves over creating Ushaped ____________________and lakes.
Fast-moving _____________ can carry sediments that can erode landscapes creating surface depressions,
bulges, and arches.
Blizzard Bag #3 Answer Sheet
*Be sure to bring this paper back to class with you on the due date to be collected and graded.*
Multiple Choice
1. __________
4. __________
2. __________
5. __________
3. __________
6. __________
Extended Response
7. a) _____________________________
b) _____________________________
c) _____________________________
d) _____________________________
e) _____________________________
f) _____________________________
g) _____________________________
h) _____________________________
Weathering and Erosion Questions
Multiple Choice
Write the letter of the correct answer on your answer sheet.
1. ____________________occurs when water fills cracks in rock and freezes.
a) Frost wedging
b) Chemical weathering
c) Deposition
d) Oxidation
2. Which of the following does NOT cause chemical weathering?
a) decomposition
c) erosion
b) acid precipitation
d) oxidation
3. Water erosion is a type of
a) acid precipitation
b) physical weathering
c) sediment deposition
d) chemical weathering
4. Which of these is an example of physical weathering?
a) oxidation of minerals
b) frost wedging
c) cave formations
d) acid rain
5. The process by which water transports minerals to a new location is called
a) acid rain
c) leaching
b) frost wedging
d) oxidation
6. The process in which sediment is laid down is called
a) erosion
b) deposition
c) weathering
d) cementation
Short Answer
7. Determine if the following are examples of physical weathering, chemical weathering, or erosion.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
Rock changes color as it oxidizes.
Rock shatters as it freezes.
Wind wears down the sides of the Egyptian pyramids in Giza.
An underground cavern is formed as water drips in from the Earth’s surface.
A deep gully forms in a hillside after a rainstorm.
A U-shaped valley is carved out as a glacier moves through the mountains.
A rock is slowly broken apart by the force of ice thawing and refreezing.
Sandstone is worn away by the sediment particles carried in the wind.