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WorksheetsMechanical vs. chemical weathering
Total questions: 15
Worksheet time: 3hrs 30mins
Weathering is the _________1 and _________2 processes that change the characteristics of rocks on the Earth’s surface. It is also known as the preparation for _________3. In order for weathering to occur, the environment of a rock sample must change and the rock needs to be exposed to some form of water and the air.
1. biological
2. physical
3. erosion
1. chemical
2. physical
3. deposition
1. chemical
2. physical
3. erosion
The weathering process occurs when rocks are exposed to the _________1 (water) and _________2 (air). These weathering agents can change the physical and chemical characteristics of rocks.
1. heliosphere
2. atmosphere
1. atmosphere
2. hydrosphere
1. hydrosphere
2. atmosphere
As rocks are broken down (weathered) they can be classified as different types of sediments, which are: bo_______, co_______, pe_______, sa_______, si_______, cla_______, co_______
Physical Weathering...
E.g. ripping a piece of paper
Occurs when a rock is broken down by chemical action resulting in a change in the composition of a rock.
Occurs when rocks are broken in to smaller pieces without changing the chemical composition of the rock.
There are a few types of physical weathering such as:
Frost action/ice wedging, abrasion and exfoliation
Oxidation, hydration and carbonation
Frost action/ice wedging....
E.g. A very similar process occurs on roads, which causes potholes.
is the peeling away of large sheets of loosened materials at the surface of a rock.
is the physical wearing down of rocks as they rub or bounce against each other.
is the breakup of rock caused by the freezing and thawing (contracting and expansion) of water. Water can seep into the cracks of a rock and as the climate cools the water freezes and expands breaking the rock apart.
Abrasion....
E.g. This process is most common in windy areas, under glaciers, or in stream channels.
is the physical wearing down of rocks as they rub or bounce against each other.
is the breakup of rock caused by the freezing and thawing (contracting and expansion) of water. Water can seep into the cracks of a rock and as the climate cools the water freezes and expands breaking the rock apart.
is the peeling away of large sheets of loosened materials at the surface of a rock.
Exfoliation....
E.g. Common in shale, slate, and mica.
is the breakup of rock caused by the freezing and thawing (contracting and expansion) of water. Water can seep into the cracks of a rock and as the climate cools the water freezes and expands breaking the rock apart.
is the peeling away of large sheets of loosened materials at the surface of a rock.
is the physical wearing down of rocks as they rub or bounce against each other.
Chemical Weathering...
E.g. the change a piece of paper would go through after being burned
Occurs when a rock is broken down by chemical action resulting in a change in the composition of a rock.
Occurs when rocks are broken in to smaller pieces without changing the chemical composition of the rock.
The main agents of chemical weathering are oxy_______, rain_______, car_______ dio_______, and aci_______ produced by decaying plants and animals that leads to the formation of soil.
There are a few types of chemical weathering such as:
Frost action/ice wedging, abrasion and exfoliation
Oxidation, hydration and carbonation
Oxidation....
E.g. when a nail rusts oxygen combines with the iron in the nail to form iron oxide.
occurs when carbon dioxide interacts chemically with minerals.
occurs when oxygen interacts chemically with minerals.
occurs when water interacts chemically with minerals.
Hydration....
E.g. when hornblende and feldspar unite with water they eventually form into clay.
occurs when water interacts chemically with minerals.
occurs when oxygen interacts chemically with minerals.
occurs when carbon dioxide interacts chemically with minerals.
Carbonation....
E.g. When carbon dioxide is dissolved in water, it forms weak carbonic acid. Carbonic acid when it comes in contact with the surface of the earth dissolves large masses of limestone, creating caves and caverns. Other common terms associated with carbonation are sink holes, karst topography, stalactites and stalagmites.
occurs when oxygen interacts chemically with minerals.
occurs when carbon dioxide interacts chemically with minerals.
occurs when water interacts chemically with minerals.
Weathering rates overall depend on 3 different factors:
1. Par______ si_______/surface area exposed to the surface
2. Mi______ com______
3. Cli______
