Constructive and Destructive Processes

A student creates a model to show the effects of weathering on a rock. The steps she takes to create her model are shown.

Which part of the model will most likely provide the student with useful data illustrating the effects of weathering on the rock?

• the size of the crack

• the shape of the clay

• the position in the freezer

• the temperature of the water

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

This picture shows a mountain that experience a landslide. What observation can be made?

• A landslide is a destructive process because it causes part of Earth's surface is broken down into smaller pieces of rock and soil.

• A landslide is a destructive process because it causes pieces of rock and soil to completely disappear from Earth's surface.

• A landslide is a constructive process because it adds new features to Earth's surface made from rock and soil.

• A landslide is a constructive process because it creates mountains of rock and soil on Earth's surface.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

The picture shows a dam. A dam is a structure that is placed across a stream or river that controls the amount of water that is allowed to pass through.

Which two questions are dams designed to answer?

• How can flood waters be contained to avoid property damage?

• How can water be stored and distributed to farmers to water their crops?

• How can unwanted marine organisms be removed from a habitat?

• How can the direction of water flow in a river be reversed?

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

NGSS.MS-ETS1-2

This picture shows a seismograph during an earthquake. What question can scientists learn from this seismograph?

• How deep is the earthquake?

• How strong is the earthquake?

• How far away will the earthquake travel?

• How much damage will the earthquake cause?

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

A student notices that the face of a mountain near a Georgia community has been changing. Some rocks have begun to break off the side of the mountain. A student claims that this is caused by a destructive process. Is the student's claim correct? Why or why not?

• The student's claim is correct because the mountain is changing due to destructive process of sedimentation.

• The student's claim is correct because the mountain is changing due to the destructive process of erosion.

• The student's claim is incorrect because the mountain is changing due to constructive process of deposition.

• The student's claim is incorrect because the mountain is changing due to the constructive process of weathering.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

The diagram shows a model of a sand dune that was created by a group of students. The group claims their model shows a landform that was created through a constructive process. Is the group's claim correct? Why or why not?

• The group's claim is correct because the model represents a landform created through gravity.

• The group's claim is incorrect because the model represents a landform created through erosion.

• The group's claim is correct because the model represents a landform created through deposition.

• The group's claim is incorrect because the model represents a landform created through weathering.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

A student views a picture of the Appalachian Mountains. The student claims the mountains were formed by a constructive process. Which statement best evaluates the student's claim?

• The student's claim is correct because Earth's plates collided, forcing one part under another and then pushing upward.

• The student's claim is incorrect because flowing rivers and streams carved into the soil, depositing tall layers of rock.

• The student's claim is correct because wind deposited rock and soil into valleys, causing them to build up over time.

• The student's claim is incorrect because volcanoes erupted for long periods of time, creating rock from the cooling magma.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Which of these landforms was most likely created through weathering caused mostly by wind?

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• 

Ellana creates a model for science class. She demonstrates her model by pouring water and sediment down a fast-flowing channel. The water flows down the channel and enters a slow-moving pool at the bottom. The picture shows Ellana's model. Which best describes what Ellana's model shows?

• The formation of a delta, which is a constructive process.

• The formation of islands, which is a constructive process.

• The formation of a delta, which is a destructive process.

• The formation of islands, which is a destructive process.

Beaches along Florida's coast often change shape when a hurricane or other strong storm hits. What causes this change in shape?

• The rain from the storm erodes the sand away from the shoreline.

• The waves from the storm wear away the rock underneath the sand.

• The wind and waves from the storm move the sand from one place to another.

• The tornadoes from the storm pick up the sand and drop it out in the ocean.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2