5.1 Weathering Flashcard

Front

What is weathering?

Back

Weathering is the process of breaking down rocks and minerals into smaller pieces through physical, chemical, or biological means.

Front

What are the two main types of weathering?

Back

The two main types of weathering are mechanical (physical) weathering and chemical weathering.

Front

How does freezing and thawing affect weathering?

Back

An increase in the frequency of freezing and thawing increases the rate of weathering due to the expansion and contraction of water in cracks.

Front

What factors affect the rate of weathering?

Back

Factors that affect the rate of weathering include surface area, rock characteristics, and climate.

Front

What is mechanical weathering?

Back

Mechanical weathering is the physical breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces without changing their chemical composition.

Front

What is chemical weathering?

Back

Chemical weathering involves the chemical alteration of minerals in rocks, often leading to the formation of new minerals.

Front

Give an example of mechanical weathering.

Back

An example of mechanical weathering is the cracking of rocks due to the growth of plant roots.

Front

What role does surface area play in weathering?

Back

Increased surface area allows more exposure of rock to weathering agents, thus increasing the rate of weathering.

Front

How does climate influence weathering?

Back

Climate influences weathering through temperature, moisture, and the presence of vegetation, affecting both mechanical and chemical processes.

Front

What is the impact of mineral composition on weathering?

Back

Different minerals weather at different rates; for example, quartz is more resistant to weathering than feldspar.