Weathering Vocabulary and Processes

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Questions and Answers

What is physical weathering?

The process of laying down sediment in new locations

Weathering that involves a change in the chemical composition of rocks

The transport of sediments by wind or water

Weathering that changes the shape and size of rocks without changing the physical makeup of the rock (correct)

What is chemical weathering?

The process in which rock is broken down by changes in its chemical makeup.

What is deposition?

Process in which sediment is laid down in new locations.

Define erosion.

The process by which wind, water, ice, or gravity transports soil and sediment from one location to another. Signup and view all the answers

What is stream discharge?

The volume of water passing a point along the river over a period of time. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes karst topography?

A type of landscape in rainy regions with limestone near the surface, characterized by caverns, sinkholes, and valleys. Signup and view all the answers

Define porosity.

The percentage of the total volume of a rock or sediment that consists of open spaces. Signup and view all the answers

What is frost action?

The weathering of rock by repeated freezing and melting of water. Signup and view all the answers

Describe abrasion.

A wearing away or rubbing away by friction. Signup and view all the answers

What is exfoliation?

A mechanical weathering process which removes protruding overlying layers and exposes the weathered dome of the underlying layers. Signup and view all the answers

Define water table.

The top of the saturated zone. Signup and view all the answers

What is oxidation?

A chemical change in which a substance combines with oxygen, as when iron oxidizes, forming rust. Signup and view all the answers

What is hydration?

The process of combining with water. Signup and view all the answers

Define velocity in the context of Earth science.

Speed in a given direction. Signup and view all the answers

What is run-off?

Water (usually from rain) that flows over a land surface in streams and waterways. Signup and view all the answers

Define sediments.

Small pieces of rock, soil, and other materials. Signup and view all the answers

What does permeability refer to?

The ability of rock or soil to allow water to flow through it. Signup and view all the answers

Define infiltration.

Water that is absorbed by the soil and funneled down to groundwater. Signup and view all the answers

What is saltation?

The movement of sand or other sediments by short jumps and bounces that is caused by wind or water. Signup and view all the answers

Define suspension in terms of sediment transport.

A mixture of water and non-dissolved materials. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Weathering Vocabulary

Physical Weathering: Alters the size and shape of rocks without impacting their chemical composition; involves processes like frost action and abrasion.
Chemical Weathering: Breaks down rocks through chemical reactions, changing their mineral composition; includes processes such as oxidation and hydration.
Deposition: The laying down of sediment in new locations, often following erosion processes, contributing to landform changes.
Erosion: The transport of soil and sediment by natural forces such as wind, water, ice, or gravity; essential in shaping landscapes.
Stream Discharge: Refers to the volume of water moving past a specific point in a river over a designated time, crucial for understanding river dynamics.
Karst Topography: Characteristic landscape formed in humid regions with limestone rock, featuring features like caverns, sinkholes, and valleys due to dissolution processes.
Porosity: Indicates the percentage of space within rock or sediment that is void, critical for understanding water storage and movement.
Frost Action: Weathering process involving the freeze-thaw cycle, which causes rocks to crack and break apart.
Abrasion: A mechanical weathering process involving the wearing away of rock through friction, often caused by wind or flowing water.
Exfoliation: A mechanical weathering technique that strips away layers from a rock, exposing underlying formations and altering landscape topography.
Water Table: The upper surface of the saturated zone where the soil and rock are fully saturated with water, important for groundwater studies.
Oxidation: A form of chemical weathering where substances react with oxygen, such as iron rusting, altering physical properties of minerals.
Hydration: The incorporation of water molecules into the chemical structure of minerals, affecting their stability and behavior.
Velocity: Refers to the speed of a moving object in a specific direction, key in the study of sediment transport and fluid dynamics.
Run-Off: Water that flows over land surfaces, typically from precipitation, into streams and waterways, crucial for hydrological cycles.
Sediments: Small particles of rock, soil, and organic matter that accumulate and can be transported by water, wind, or ice.
Permeability: The measure of a material's ability to transmit water, essential for groundwater movement and aquifer studies.
Infiltration: The process where water is absorbed into the soil, contributing to groundwater recharge and affecting surface hydrology.
Saltation: The movement of sediment in short jumps or bounces due to wind or flowing water, a significant factor in sediment transport.
Suspension: A mixture involving water and particles that do not settle out, playing a role in transporting sediments in both air and water.

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Description

Test your knowledge of weathering processes and related terms in geology. This quiz covers physical and chemical weathering, deposition, erosion, and more. Perfect for students looking to enhance their understanding of landform changes and water dynamics.