Weathering and Soil

Geologists infer from the rounded, eroded shapes of the Appalachian Mountains that

• the principle of uniformitarianism does not apply

• the mountains formed recently

• the mountains are made of soft rock

• the mountains have been eroding for millions of years.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

A marble statue is left exposed to the weather. Within a few years, the details on the statue have begun to weather away. This weathering probably is caused by

• oxygen in the air

• carbonic acid in rainwater

• lichens

• abrasion

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Granite lasts a long time when it is used for building in areas where

• repeated freezing and thawing is common.

• the climate is mostly cool and dry.

• acid rain is common.

• the climate is hot and rainy.

The most important factors in determining the rate of weathering are

• carbon dioxide and acid rain.

• abrasion and acids from plant roots.

• animal actions and oxygen.

• rock type and climate.

When earthworms add their wastes to the soil, then die and decay in the soil, they are contributing to the formation of

• silt

• litter

• humus

• clay

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Most of the work of mixing humus within the soil is done by

• fungi

• ants

• earthworms

• bacteria

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Plowing removed the grass from the Great Plains and exposed soil. What effect did this have when a drought struck the Great Plains during the 1930's?

• It had no effect.

• It reduced the soil's fertility.

• It helped to cause the Dust Bowl.

• It allowed the soil to hold moisture better.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

What kind of weathering causes the mineral composition of rocks to change?

• mechanical weathering

• permeable weathering

• chemical weathering

• general weathering

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Frost wedging causes mechanical weathering of rock by means of

• heating and cooling.

• plant growth.

• animal actions.

• freezing and thawing of water.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

The agent of mechanical weathering in which rock is worn away by the action of other rock particles is called

• erosion.

• cracking and flaking.

• abrasion.

• frost wedging.