Weathering

What is Weathering?

• When rain, wind, and ice break down larger rocks into smaller pieces.

• A shift in weather patterns.

• The process by which mountains are formed.

• The process by which seasons change.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

How might a weathered mountain appear different from an unweathered mountain?

• A weathered mountain would be taller?

• The weathered mountain would appear rounder in shape.

• The weathered mountain would appear more jagged.

• The weathered mountain would contain fewer trees.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Which form of weathering breaks down rock with chemical acids that are carried in rain and runoff?

• Chemical Weathering

• Mechanical Weathering

What might cause mechanical weathering?

• Acid rain

• Violent earthquakes

• Roots grinding rocks into soil

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

While hiking with his friends, David noticed that the rocks along the trail were slowly breaking apart due to the constant wind and water flow. What is this process called?

• The breakdown of rocks through chemical changes.

• The process by which rocks are broken down by physical factors like wind and water.

• The transportation of sediment by erosion.

• The change in phase of water within rocks.

Answer explanation

Physical weathering is the process of rocks being broken down by physical factors like wind and water.

What is the role of animals in the weathering process?

• Animals have no role in weathering

• Animals can contribute to physical weathering by burrowing

• Animals increase chemical weathering by emitting carbon dioxide

• Animals prevent weathering by covering rocks

How does water contribute to physical weathering?

• By dissolving minerals in rocks

• By causing oxidation

• By freezing and expanding in cracks of rocks

• By carrying away weathered materials

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

What impact does weathering have on soil formation?

• It adds new chemicals to the ground.

• Larger rocks are broken down into smaller sediments (dirt).

• It adds ice and water to the soil.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

What types of rocks are formed by weathering?

• Metamorphic (formed by heat and pressure deep underground)

• Igneous (formed by volcanoes)

• Sedimentary (formed by layers of sediment)

Weathering usually takes only a few days.

• True

• False