Chapter 16 E3 - Weathering

Question 1

the disintegration and decomposition of material at or near the surface

Answer 1

weathering

Question 2

the transfer of rock material downslope under the influence of gravity

Answer 2

mass wasting

Question 3

the incorporation and transportation of material by a mobile agent, usually water, wind, or ice

Answer 3

erosion

Question 4

two kinds of weathering

Answer 4

mechanical weathering and chemical weathering

Question 5

breaking of rocks into smaller pieces by physical processes

Answer 5

mechanical weathering

Question 6

alters the internal structures of minerals by removing or adding elements

Answer 6

chemical weathering

Question 7

_____ and _____ are the most crucial weathering factors

Answer 7

temperature and moisture

Question 8

chemical weathering is most effective in areas of _____ temperatures and ____ moisture

Answer 8

warm

abundant

Question 9

the three main mechanical weathering processes

Answer 9

frost wedging, unloading, and biological activity

Question 10

repeated daily heating and cooling of rock causes fractures (heat expands and cool contracts) the release of overburden and increased temperature can cause pop ups

Answer 10

exfoliation

Question 11

advanced mechanical weathering aids chemical weathering by increasing the

Answer 11

surfacea area

Question 12

the most important agent in chemical weathering

Answer 12

water because oxygen dissolved in water oxidizes materials and CO2 dissolved in water forms carbonic acid

Question 13

four types of chemical weathering

Answer 13

dissolution, oxidation, hydrolysis, and reductive dissolution

Question 14

chemical weathering of granite

Answer 14

potassium feldspar forms clay minerals, soluble salt, and silica in solution; quartz remains mostly unaltered

Question 15

weathering of most silicate minerals besides quartz produces

Answer 15

insoluble iron oxides and/or clay minerals

Question 16

oxygen combines with iron bearing silicate minerals (like olivine, pyroxene, amphibole, and biotite) causing rusting

Answer 16

oxidation

Question 17

red means

Answer 17

iron

Question 18

caused by chemical weathering of jointed rocks where those rocks form roughly spherical shapes

Answer 18

spheroidal weathering

Question 19

a speed control for weathering

Answer 19

chemical stability

Question 20

caused by variations in composition

Answer 20

differential weathering

Question 21

concentrates metals into economical deposits

Answer 21

secondary enrichment

Question 22

two ways to have secondary enrichment

Answer 22

removing undesired material from the decomposing rock, leaving the desired elements behind; desired elements are carried to lower zones and deposited; translocation and transformation

Question 23

controls on soil formation

Answer 23

parent material: residual soil and transported soil; and time: amount of time to evolve varies for different soils; climate, slope, and plants and animals

Question 24

_____ slopes often have poorly developed soils

Answer 24

steep

Question 25

refers to the proportions of different particle sizes

Answer 25

texture

Question 26

large to small textures

Answer 26

sand (largest), silt, clay

Question 27

a mixture of all three size textures and is best suited for plant life

Answer 27

loam

Question 28

soil forming processes operate from the

Answer 28

surface downward

Question 29

zones or layers of soil

Answer 29

horizons

Question 30

horizons in temperate regions

Answer 30

``` O-organic matter A-organic and mineral matter E-little organic matter B-zone of accumulation C-partially altered parent material ```

Question 31

soil profile in a temperate climate; humus and leached soil; some iron and aluminum oxides precipitated, all soluble materials leached away; granite bedrock

Answer 31

pedalfer

Question 32

soil profile in a wet climate; thin or absent humus; thick masses of insoluble iron and aluminum oxides; occasional quartz; thin leached zone; mafic igneous bedrock

Answer 32

laterite

Question 33

soil profile in a dry climate; humus and leached soil; calcium carbonate pellets and nodules precipitated; sandstone, shale, and limestone bedrock

Answer 33

pedocal

Question 34

recycling of earth materials

Answer 34

soil erosion

Question 35

natural rates of erosion depend on

Answer 35

soil characteristics, climate, slope, and type of vegetation