Mechanical Weathering Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the difference between weathering and erosion?

Weathering is the physical or chemical breakdown of rock. Erosion is the removal of weathered pieces of rock to another place.

What is the difference between mechanical and chemical weathering?

Mechanical weathering is the physical breakdown of rock into smaller pieces. Chemical weathering is the breakdown of rock by chemical processes.

How do water and ice cause mechanical weathering?

Water causes mechanical weathering when rivers or ocean waves cause rocks to collide and scrape against each other. Ice causes mechanical weathering when glaciers scrape rocks and when water freezes in cracks, expanding and widening them.

How does the movement of air cause mechanical weathering?

The wind can blow sand against rocks, which wears them down by abrasion. Signup and view all the answers

How are rocks and landforms changed by mechanical weathering?

Rocks are broken into smaller pieces by abrasion or pressure. Landforms are worn down by the agents of mechanical weathering. Signup and view all the answers

What is weathering?

The breaking down of rock into smaller pieces by the action of wind, rain, and temperature change. Signup and view all the answers

What is mechanical weathering?

A physical change caused by processes such as the movement of water or wind. Signup and view all the answers

What is chemical weathering?

Occurs when chemicals in the air and water interact with rocks and minerals to break them down. Signup and view all the answers

What is erosion?

The process in which wind, water, ice, or other things move pieces of rock and soil over Earth's surface. Signup and view all the answers

What is sediment?

Solid material, moved by wind and water, that settles on the surface of land or the bottom of a body of water. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Weathering vs. Erosion

Weathering involves the physical or chemical breakdown of rocks, while erosion refers to the removal and transportation of weathered rock particles to new locations.

Types of Weathering

Mechanical weathering results in the physical fragmentation of rocks into smaller pieces without changing their chemical composition.
Chemical weathering entails the alteration of rocks through chemical reactions, changing the minerals involved.

Role of Water and Ice in Mechanical Weathering

Rivers and ocean waves can cause rocks to collide, leading to abrasion as they scrape against each other.
Glaciers cause mechanical weathering through the scraping effect on rocks.
Freezing water infiltrates rock crevices; as it freezes, it expands, widening cracks and enhancing mechanical weathering.

Impact of Air Movement

Wind can carry sand particles that, upon striking rocks, cause wear through abrasion, contributing to the mechanical weathering process.

Effects on Rocks and Landforms

Mechanical weathering breaks rocks into smaller fragments, altering their structure.
Landforms are gradually worn down as they are subjected to various mechanical weathering agents over time.

Definitions of Key Terms

Weathering: The process of breaking down rocks into smaller fragments through wind, rain, and temperature changes.
Mechanical Weathering: Physical changes in rocks due to forces from water movement or wind, without altering their chemical structure.
Chemical Weathering: Breakdown of rocks through interactions with chemicals in air and water, leading to changes in mineral composition.
Erosion: The movement of rock and soil by elements such as wind, water, and ice, leading to displacement over the Earth's surface.
Sediment: Solid particles transported by wind and water that eventually settle on land surfaces or underwater.

Description

Explore the fundamental concepts of mechanical weathering through these flashcards. Understand the distinctions between weathering and erosion, and learn how mechanical weathering differs from chemical weathering. Perfect for geology students or anyone interested in earth sciences.