Erosion: Weathering Concept Map

Question 1

Mechanical Weathering

Answer 1

Physically breaks Rock into smaller pieces but does not change chemical composition

Question 2

Chemical Weathering

Answer 2

Breaks down rock by changing its chemical composition

Question 3

Ice Wedging

Answer 3

Occurs when water seeps into cracks/joints in rock and freezes. Ice volume expands, cracking rock

Question 4

Organic Activity

Answer 4

Roots/plants wedge themselves into cracks and break Rock

Question 5

Abrasion

Answer 5

Collision of rocks with one another, resulting in breaking and wearing away of rocks.

Question 6

Hydrolysis

Answer 6

Change in composition of minerals when they react chemically with water

Question 7

Leaching

Answer 7

Water carries dissolved minerals to lower layers of rock

Question 8

Carbonation

Answer 8

Minerals come into contact with carbonic acid, chemically combined with H2C03, and form a new product

Question 9

Oxidation

Answer 9

When metallic elements combine with oxygen

Question 10

Acid precipitation

Answer 10

Acidic compounds combined with water in the atmosphere to produce acid precipitation

Question 11

Plant acids

Answer 11

Acids produced by plants that can break apart rock

Question 12

Rates of weathering

Answer 12

How fast rock weathers away. Very slow

Question 13

Rock composition

Answer 13

Composition of Rock, igneous and metamorphic are unchanged

Question 14

Amount of exposure

Answer 14

Material of Rock expose to surface. More exposure equals faster weathering

Question 15

Climate

Answer 15

Cold/hot affects weathering. Ice wedging equals cold slow in heat

Question 16

Topography

Answer 16

Elevation or slope of the surface where rock is located

Question 17

Weathering

Answer 17

change in physical form or chemical composition of rock materials exposed at Earth’s surface