Weathering and Soil Quiz

How does freezing water cause the weathering of rocks?  The freezing water—

• keeps the rocks in place
• makes the rocks last longer
• expands cracks and breaks rocks
• causes rocks to fall in landslides

The diagrams  shows a natural process that weathers rock.
 Which statement best explains why this process results in weathering?

• frozen water acts as a solute
• water expands when it freezes
• the mass of water increases when it freezes
• frozen water dissolves most types of rock

How does wind abrasion work?

• Sediment is blown off a surface from wind.
• Wind-blown sediment strikes a surface.
• Wind blows large chunks of rock off a surface.
• Sediment falls off of a surface on its own.

What is mechanical weathering?

• Process through which rocks are physically broken into smaller pieces.
• Rocks are broken down through chemical changes.
• Rocks are worn away from acid in plant roots.
• Rocks broken down by machinery.

During chemical weathering, what can happen to the type of rock that has undergone chemical weathering?

• a new rock is produced that is larger than the original rock
• a new rock is produced that is the same as the original rock
• a new rock is produced that is different from the original rock 
• no new rock is created - it is just smaller in size

What is permeable?

• a material that is soft
• a material that is full of tiny air spaces that allow water to seep through it
• a material that is able to be broken and re-attached
• a material that is able to be created into a different substance

Which type of climate will have faster chemical weathering?

• Hot and Wet
• Cold and Dry
• Hot and Cold
• Cold and Wet

Farmers prefer to plant crops in soil that is rich in nutrients.  Which of these soil types would MOST LIKELY contain the most nutrients?

• soil that has many large rock particles in it
• soil that allows water to drain very easily
• soil with a bedrock very close to the surface
• soil with a lot of decomposed organic matter

Which of the following is an example of mechanical weathering?

• Acidic groundwater dissolving limestone
• frost wedging
• Paper being burned
• Acid rain

Potholes in streets are often caused by...

• hydrolsis 
• carbonation
• oxidation
• ice wedging