Weathering and Erosion

Weathering and erosion can make changes to earth's land such as:

• building a new skyscraper

• refilling a ponds and lakes with water

• forming and shaping beaches and mountains

• popping new tires due to potholes

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Erosion and weathering are different processes that involve some of the same agents, such as wind, water, and ice. How is erosion different from weathering?

•   Erosion is slower than weathering.

• Erosion is faster than weathering.

• Erosion breaks rocks and weathering moves rocks.

• Erosion moves rocks, and weathering breaks rocks.

Earth has a great variety of surface features that are caused by weathering and erosion. Which of the following describes a change due to weathering?

•   tree roots breaking rocks into smaller pieces of rock

   

•   ocean waves washing sand off the beach

• rivers carrying soil and rocks through valleys

• wind blowing sand and pebbles off of a sand dune

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

What is erosion?

• The process of wearing away or breaking down rocks, soils, and other materials on the Earth's surface by natural forces such as wind, water, and ice.

• The process of moving rocks, soils, and other materials from one place to another on the Earth's surface by natural forces such as wind, water, and ice.

• The process of creating new rocks, soils, and other materials on the Earth's surface by natural forces such as wind, water, and ice.

• The process of building up rocks, soils, and other materials on the Earth's surface by natural forces such as wind, water, and ice.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Which of the following is an example of physical weathering?

• Freeze-thaw action

• Volcanic eruption

• Erosion

• Chemical reaction

What is the process of breaking down rocks into smaller pieces called?

• fracturing

• weathering

• erosion

• disintegration

What is the wearing away of the Earth's surface by wind, water, or ice called?

• erosion

• sedimentation

• deposition

• weathering

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

A valley is the low area of land between two mountains. There are two main types of valleys, V-shaped and U-shaped. Both types are formed by weathering and erosion over many years. Rivers cause V-shaped valleys, while U-shaped valleys are caused by something else.

What other source of weathering and erosion could have carved a valley between a mountain?

•   The eruption of a volcano

   

• The movement of a glacier

• An earthquake

• Ocean waves

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

How did physical weathering most likely create this landform?

•   the wind broke down a large boulder over a long period of time

   

• waves from the ocean crashed into the landform

• a tree growing in the rock broke it into smaller pieces over time

• ice moved a large chunk of the landform

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Which answer below is an example of a question that scientists could answer through investigations, experiments, or observations?

•   Is erosion good or bad?

• How does the speed of moving water affect how much sediment is eroded?

• Which cause of weathering creates nicer-looking land formations, wind or water?

• What is more important, erosion or weathering?