Unit 7 Earth's Surface Processes

Front

What is erosion?

Back

Erosion is the process by which natural forces like water, wind, or ice wear away rocks and soil, transporting them to different locations.

Front

What is physical weathering?

Back

Physical weathering is the process of breaking down rocks into smaller pieces without changing their chemical composition, often through mechanical forces like freezing and thawing.

Front

What is chemical weathering?

Back

Chemical weathering involves the chemical alteration of minerals in rocks, often through reactions with water, acids, or gases, leading to the dissolution or transformation of the minerals.

Front

What is deposition?

Back

Deposition is the geological process where sediments, soil, and rocks are added to a landform or land mass, often occurring in areas like river deltas.

Front

What role does water play in shaping landforms?

Back

Water is a powerful agent of erosion, capable of transporting sediments and shaping landforms through processes like river flow and wave action.

Front

What is a river delta?

Back

A river delta is a landform created at the mouth of a river where it meets a body of water, formed by the deposition of sediment carried by the river.

Front

How does wind contribute to erosion?

Back

Wind can erode, transport, and deposit sediments, particularly in arid environments, but it is generally less effective than water in shaping landforms.

Front

What is the difference between erosion and weathering?

Back

Erosion involves the movement of sediments from one location to another, while weathering is the process of breaking down rocks in place without movement.

Front

What is the significance of tree roots in weathering?

Back

Tree roots can cause physical weathering by growing into cracks in rocks and boulders, eventually breaking them apart.

Front

What is the impact of freezing and thawing on rocks?

Back

The process of freezing and thawing can cause physical weathering, as water enters cracks in rocks, freezes, expands, and eventually breaks the rocks apart.