Weathering and Erosion Basics

What process transforms bedrock into smaller particles known as sediment?

Which of the following is NOT a type of mechanical weathering?

Which agent of erosion primarily transports sediment?

What geological features are created by rocks with differing levels of erosion resistance?

What phenomenon occurs when bedrock is rapidly expanded due to a drop in pressure?

What is the primary force behind frost wedging that allows it to break apart rocks?

Which term describes roots that have been preserved in the rock record?

In which environments is salt expansion most likely to occur?

How do tunneling organisms contribute to weathering processes?

What type of weathering involves the expansion of ice in rock cracks?

What is the primary cause of tafoni formation in rocks?

Which weathering type is most prevalent in warm, humid environments?

How does surface-area-to-volume ratio influence the rate of weathering?

What reaction does carbonic acid participate in during chemical weathering?

Which statement accurately describes the relationship between mechanical and chemical weathering?

Weathering and Erosion

Bedrock is solid rock forming Earth's outer crust
Weathering breaks bedrock into smaller sediment particles
Mechanical weathering physically breaks rock (pressure expansion, frost wedging, root wedging, salt expansion)
Pressure expansion occurs when buried rock surfaces exposed to lower pressure expand and crack
Frost wedging occurs when water in cracks freezes, expands, and breaks rock
Root wedging involves plant roots growing into cracks, widening them and breaking rock
Salt expansion is when salts precipitate and expand within cracks during high evaporation
Chemical weathering involves chemical reactions changing rock composition (carbonic acid, hydrolysis, dissolution, oxidation)
Carbonic acid is formed when CO2 dissolves in water, slightly acidic and important for weathering reactions
Hydrolysis Water molecules replace mineral cations or react directly with minerals to form new molecules
Dissolution is dissolving minerals in bedrock, leaving ions in solution due to acidic water
Oxidation occurs when iron in minerals bonds with oxygen, often forming colorful iron oxides (rust)
Erosion is the process transporting sediment from weathering site via wind, water, ice or gravity
Surface Area to Volume Ratio is important for weathering, as more surface area exposed means higher weathering rates.

Sedimentary Rocks

Sedimentary Rocks are categorized as clastic (derived from mechanical weathering) or chemical (precipitated from water).
Clastic rocks are classified by grain shape, size, and sorting
Chemical rocks are mainly classified by composition of minerals within rock

This quiz explores the processes of weathering and erosion, focusing on the distinctions between mechanical and chemical weathering. Learn about key concepts like bedrock, frost wedging, and carbonic acid. Test your understanding of how these processes shape Earth's surface.