WED and Sedimentary Rock Quiz review

What often happens to rocks that undergo chemical weathering?

• They form crystals.  

• They produce acids.

• They become stronger.

• They crumble more easily.

Answer explanation

Rocks that undergo chemical weathering often break down into smaller particles, making them crumble more easily. This process alters their structure and composition, leading to increased fragility.

______________ is the breaking down of rock material by physical and chemical processes. 

• Weathering

• Erosion

• Deposition

• Sedimentary Exchange

Answer explanation

Weathering is the process that breaks down rock material through physical and chemical means, distinguishing it from erosion, which involves the movement of materials, and deposition, which refers to the laying down of sediments.

______________ occurs when water seeps into the cracks of rocks and expands when it freezes.

• Icing

• Wedging

• Expansion

• Ice Wedging

Answer explanation

Ice wedging occurs when water enters rock cracks and expands upon freezing, causing the rocks to break apart. This process is a key form of mechanical weathering, making 'Ice Wedging' the correct answer.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

_____________ weathering is the breaking down of rocks by chemical reactions.

• Chemical

• Physical

• Deposition

• Erosion

Answer explanation

Chemical weathering involves the alteration of minerals in rocks through chemical reactions, leading to their breakdown. This distinguishes it from physical weathering, which is purely mechanical.

Which of these terms describes the process of acid rain wearing out limestone?

• deposition

• chemical weathering

• physical weathering

• erosion

Answer explanation

Chemical weathering describes the process where acid rain reacts with limestone, leading to its breakdown and erosion. This is distinct from physical weathering, which involves mechanical processes without chemical change.

Which of these is an example of erosion?

• light shining onto a mountain

• wind blowing away sediment

• rain breaking down rock

• all options are correct

Answer explanation

Erosion is the process of moving sediment from one place to another. Wind blowing away sediment is a clear example of erosion, while light and rain breaking down rock refer to weathering, not erosion.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

This is an example of _____________________________.

• physical weathering

• chemical weathering

Answer explanation

This is an example of physical weathering because it involves the mechanical breakdown of rocks without changing their chemical composition, such as freeze-thaw cycles or abrasion.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

A type of chemical weathering in which a substance combines with oxygen, as when iron oxidizes, forming rust.

• Acid rain

• Oxidation

• Reaction to water

• Exfoliation

Answer explanation

The process described is oxidation, where a substance, like iron, reacts with oxygen, leading to rust formation. This distinguishes it from other weathering types like acid rain or exfoliation.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

Identify the change happening in each situation.

Minerals in rock dissolve.

• physical weathering

• chemical weathering

Answer explanation

The dissolution of minerals in rock indicates a chemical change, as it involves a chemical reaction that alters the mineral composition. This process is known as chemical weathering, distinguishing it from physical weathering, which does not change the chemical structure.

The process by which water, ice, wind or gravity moves weathered rock and soil from one place to another.

• weathering

• erosion

• deposition

• dumptruck

Answer explanation

Erosion is the process that moves weathered rock and soil from one place to another through agents like water, ice, wind, or gravity. Weathering breaks down materials, while deposition refers to the settling of eroded materials.