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Questions and Answers
What does weathering refer to?
The disintegration and decomposition of rocks.
What is regolith?
Mechanical weathering alters the chemical composition of rocks.
False
Which of the following is a process of mechanical weathering?
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What happens during thermal expansion and contraction?
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Match the types of weathering with their definitions:
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What are some factors that can control weathering and mass movement?
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Study Notes
Weathering
- Weathering is the disintegration and decomposition of rocks, including physical and chemical breakdown.
- Regolith is a loose layer of fragments covering much of Earth's surface.
- Soil is the uppermost layer of regolith that supports rooted plants.
Types of Weathering
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Mechanical/Physical Weathering breaks rocks into smaller fragments, but doesn't change composition.
- Frost Wedging: expansion of freezing water in cracks causes rock to break.
- Thermal Expansion and Contraction: Repeated heating and cooling can crack and separate materials due to volume changes.
- Mechanical Exfoliation: Sheeting or peeling off layers of rock due to pressure release.
- Abrasion: Wearing down by friction from wind, water, or gravity.
- Plant Growth: Roots growing in cracks can exert pressure and break rocks.
- Chemical Weathering: Changes the chemical composition of rocks and minerals.
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Description
Explore the fascinating processes of weathering, including both mechanical and chemical breakdown of rocks. Understand how elements like frost wedging, thermal expansion, and plant growth contribute to the physical disintegration of rocks. This quiz will test your knowledge on regolith, soil, and the mechanisms involved in weathering.
