Earth and Life Science: Exogenic and Endogenic Processes

Front

What are exogenic processes?

Back

Processes that occur at or near the Earth's surface, driven by energy from the sun, which wear down and reshape the landscape.

Front

Define weathering.

Back

The general term for all processes that disintegrate and decompose rocks.

Front

What is physical weathering?

Back

Breaking a rock into smaller pieces without changing its composition.

Front

Explain block disintegration.

Back

Rocks heat up and expand during the day and cool down and contract at night, causing cracks and eventually breaking apart.

Front

What is exfoliation in weathering?

Back

The outer layers of a rock peel off like onion skins due to heating.

Front

Describe frost weathering.

Back

Water enters cracks in rocks, freezes, expands, and can split the rock.

Front

What is chemical weathering?

Back

Weathering that involves chemical reactions that change the composition of the rock.

Front

What happens during oxidation?

Back

Oxygen reacts with minerals in the rock, forming rust-like substances that weaken the rock.

Front

Explain carbonation in weathering.

Back

Rainwater combines with carbon dioxide to form carbonic acid, which can dissolve rocks like limestone.

Front

What is hydration in the context of weathering?

Back

Some minerals absorb water, causing them to expand and create stress that leads to rock breakdown.