Surface Processes Review

Front

What is physical weathering?

Back

Physical weathering is the process of breaking down rocks and minerals into smaller pieces without changing their chemical composition. An example is the expansion of water when it freezes, which can enlarge cracks in rocks.

Front

What is the primary agent of erosion that shapes valleys?

Back

Moving ice, such as glaciers, is a primary agent of erosion that shapes valleys by scraping and carving the landscape.

Front

How do glaciers affect bedrock?

Back

Glaciers can drag rocks over bedrock, creating scratches and grooves in the surface as they move.

Front

Where do meandering streams deposit most of their sediments?

Back

Meandering streams deposit most of their sediments on the inside of meanders where the stream flows slower.

Front

What types of particles can a stream moving at 5 cm/s transport?

Back

A stream moving at 5 cm/s can transport sand, silt, and clay.

Front

What is chemical weathering?

Back

Chemical weathering involves the chemical alteration of minerals in rocks, often due to reactions with water, acids, or gases, leading to changes in the rock's composition.

Front

What role does running water play in erosion?

Back

Running water is a significant agent of erosion, capable of transporting sediments and shaping landscapes through processes like riverbank erosion and sediment deposition.

Front

What is the difference between erosion and weathering?

Back

Erosion is the process of transporting weathered materials from one location to another, while weathering is the breakdown of rocks and minerals in place.

Front

What is a meander in a river?

Back

A meander is a curve or bend in a river, often formed by the erosion of the outer bank and deposition on the inner bank.

Front

How does freeze-thaw action contribute to physical weathering?

Back

Freeze-thaw action contributes to physical weathering by causing water to expand when it freezes, which can crack and break apart rocks.