Surficial Processes Study Guide

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 process that breaks down rocks and other materials on Earth's surface is called

• weathering
• erosion
• soil conservation
• decomposition

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.

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

Which of the following is an example of mechanical weathering?

• Acidic groundwater dissolving limestone
• Abrasion
• Paper being burned

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

Which agents  break down earth materials?

• wind only
• earthquakes and gravity
• ice and 007
• wind, water, and ice

What are the two factors that affect the rate at which weathering occurs?

• climate and mass of rock
• climate and size of rock
• type of rock and size of rock
• type of rock and climate

Rust that forms on rocks or metal because of extended exposure to oxygen is what example of chemical weathering?

• carbon dioxide (carbonic acid)
• acid rain
• oxidation
• lichens

Which type of climate will have faster chemical weathering?

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