Science: Weathering and Erosion Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the difference between weathering and erosion?

Weathering is when rocks are broken down (chemically or mechanically) and erosion is when sediment is carried away.

What is the difference between erosion and deposition?

Deposition is when the sediment settles out of the water, wind, or ice that is carrying it.

What is sediment?

The material moved by erosion.

Why are plants helpful in preventing the erosion of soil?

The roots of plants help hold the soil together so that it does not erode away. Signup and view all the answers

What is erosion?

Erosion is the process that carries sediment to another location by water, wind, ice, or gravity. Water is the major agent. Signup and view all the answers

Which natural force is the major agent of erosion on Earth's surface?

Water. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in the formation of soil?

Weathering. Signup and view all the answers

What is soil made of?

Broken down rock and other materials on Earth's surface. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between loam and humus?

Humus is a dark colored substance formed from the decay of plant and animal materials. Loam is made of about equal parts of sand, silt, and clay. Signup and view all the answers

What was the cause of the Dust Bowl?

In the 1930's, the southern plains states experienced a long period of drought, which caused many large dust storms. Signup and view all the answers

What is drought?

Over-plowing exposed the topsoil during times of drought, causing it to blow away. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between mechanical weathering and chemical weathering?

Chemical weathering breaks down rock through chemical changes. Mechanical weathering is when rocks are physically broken down into smaller pieces. Signup and view all the answers

What are 3 agents of mechanical weathering?

Abrasion, plant growth, freezing and thawing. Signup and view all the answers

What are 3 agents of chemical weathering?

Oxygen, carbon dioxide, water (most important). Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference in the formation of a V-shaped valley and a U-shaped valley?

A V-shaped valley is formed by a river, and a U-shaped valley is formed by a glacier. Signup and view all the answers

What creates beaches?

Created by the deposition of sediment by waves. Signup and view all the answers

How can waves cause erosion?

Through the process of impact and abrasion. Signup and view all the answers

Define glacier.

Any large mass of ice that moves slowly over land. Signup and view all the answers

Define the two types of glacial erosion.

Plucking - rocks are picked (plucked) up by the glacier. Abrasion is when the glacier drags rocks across the land and leaves scratches and gouges. Signup and view all the answers

What is a drainage basin?

A land area from which a river and its tributaries collect their water. Signup and view all the answers

What is oxidation?

When oxygen combines with iron in the presence of water and causes rocks to rust. Signup and view all the answers

How does oxidation chemically weather rock?

Makes rock soft and crumbly and gives it a reddish brown color. Signup and view all the answers

What is a decomposer?

Organisms that break remains of dead things into smaller pieces; they digest them with chemicals. Signup and view all the answers

Give examples of decomposers.

Fungi, protists, bacteria, worms. Signup and view all the answers

What is a tributary?

A stream that flows into a larger stream. Signup and view all the answers

Order the formation of a river.

Rills, gullies, stream, river. Signup and view all the answers

What is mass movement?

Several processes that move sediment downhill. Signup and view all the answers

Give examples of mass movement.

Landslide, mudflow, creep, slump. Signup and view all the answers

What is permeable rock?

Rock full of tiny connected air pockets. Signup and view all the answers

Why will a permeable rock weather faster?

Because water seeps through the air pockets and removes the dissolved material formed. Signup and view all the answers

In what type of climate will chemical weathering occur faster?

Hot, wet climates. Signup and view all the answers

Why does chemical weathering occur faster in hot, wet climates?

Chemical reactions occur at a faster speed there. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Weathering vs Erosion

Weathering breaks down rocks through chemical or mechanical processes.
Erosion involves the transportation of sediment by water, wind, ice, or gravity.

Erosion vs Deposition

Deposition occurs when sediment settles out from the transporting medium.

Sediment

Sediment refers to materials that have been moved by erosion.

Role of Plants in Soil Erosion

Plants prevent soil erosion with their roots, which stabilize the soil.

Erosion Process

Erosion is primarily caused by water, which is the leading agent in sediment transport.

Soil Formation

Soil formation begins with weathering, resulting in broken rock that mixes with other earth materials.

Composition of Soil

Soil consists of weathered rock and other organic materials.

Loam vs Humus

Humus is organic material formed from decayed flora and fauna.
Loam is a balanced mixture of sand, silt, and clay.

Dust Bowl Causes

The Dust Bowl (1930s) was caused by prolonged drought and poor agricultural practices.

Drought Impact

Over-plowing combined with drought conditions exposed topsoil, leading to erosion.

Mechanical vs Chemical Weathering

Mechanical weathering involves physical breakdown of rocks; chemical weathering alters rock composition through chemical reactions.

Agents of Mechanical Weathering

Key agents include abrasion, plant growth, and freeze-thaw cycles.

Agents of Chemical Weathering

Main agents include water (most significant), oxygen, and carbon dioxide.

Valley Formation

V-shaped valleys form via river activity; U-shaped valleys are shaped by glaciers.

Beach Formation

Beaches are formed through sediment deposition by waves.

Erosion by Waves

Waves erode land through impact and abrasion processes.

Glacier Definition

Glaciers are large, slow-moving ice masses on land.

Types of Glacial Erosion

Plucking occurs when glaciers lift rocks; abrasion results in scratches and gouges from rock dragging.

Drainage Basin

A drainage basin is an area where a river and its tributaries collect water.

Oxidation Process

Oxidation combines oxygen with iron in the presence of water, causing rocks to rust.

Effects of Oxidation

Oxidation softens rocks, giving them a crumbly texture and reddish-brown color.

Decompostion Process

Decomposers break down organic materials into smaller parts using chemical digestion.

Examples of Decomposers

Common decomposers include fungi, bacteria, protists, and worms.

Tributary Definition

A tributary is a stream that flows into a larger stream or river.

River Formation Sequence

Rivers evolve from small rills to gullies, then streams, and finally into larger rivers.

Mass Movement

Mass movement encompasses various processes that shift sediment downward.

Examples of Mass Movement

Includes landslides, mudflows, creep, and slump events.

Permeable Rock

Permeable rocks contain interconnected air pockets allowing water infiltration.

Weathering of Permeable Rock

Permeable rocks weather faster due to water seeping through and leaching away dissolved materials.

Chemical Weathering in Different Climates

Chemical weathering accelerates in hot and humid climates due to increased chemical reaction rates.

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Test your knowledge on the concepts of weathering and erosion with these flashcards. Learn the differences between crucial terms like weathering, erosion, deposition, and sediment. Perfect for students studying earth science or preparing for exams.