Which processes relate to mechanical weathering? Check all that apply.
freezing and thawing
plant growth
oxidation
abrasion
acid rain
answer
freezing and thawing
plant growth
abrasion
question
A geologist looks at a map to determine which of two areas would experience more chemical weathering. Area 1 is on the coast of a country in South America, near the equator. The temperatures are hot, and the climate is humid with heavy rainfall. Area 2 is in the Midwestern United States. The temperature is relatively cool, and the climate does not include much humidity or rainfall.
Based on the given information, which area is most likely to have more chemical weathering?
answer
area 1
question
A farmer examines the soil of a new plot of land he just purchased. He notices that the soil is very dark, almost black in color. The soil is filled with organic material. Based on his experience, the farmer knows this soil has a high fertility.
Which material gives the soil its high fertility?
bedrock
sand
silt
humus
answer
humus
question
A geologist is studying a new soil profile. In analyzing the profile, she finds that the topsoil is rich in organic material. She concludes that this soil would be great for growing crops.
What materials combined to form the topsoil?
weathered bedrock and wind-blown sand
decomposed humus and wind-blown sand
decomposed plant litter and weathered parent material
deposited sediment and decomposed plant litter
answer
decomposed plant litter and weathered parent material
question
Soil classification is partially determined by the presence of organic material, such as humus. Which would have more humus—a desert or a forest—and why? Check all that apply.
- a forest because it has more trees to provide plant litter
- a desert because it has soil with a larger particle size
- a forest because it has more animals to mix the soil
- a forest because the trees prevent rain from reaching the soil
- a desert because the dry air decomposes plant litter
answer
a forest because it has more trees to provide plant litter
a forest because it has more animals to mix the soil
question
Which process is defined as breaking down rocks into smaller pieces without changing the rocks' compositions?
erosion
oxidation
chemical weathering
mechanical weathering
answer
mechanical weathering
question
Which process is responsible for changing the composition of rock?
erosion
abrasion
chemical weathering
mechanical weathering
answer
chemical weathering
question
Which condition leads to a slower rate of weathering?
porous rocks
cold climates
hard minerals
high temperatures
answer
hard minerals
question
Which describes sand?
fine-grained
retains water
water drains quickly
good for growing crops
answer
water drains quickly
question
Which term describes weathering?
breaks down rock
causes heating and cooling
makes pebbles and rocks larger
carries away fragments
answer
breaks down rock
question
How do rock types contribute to the rate of weathering?
Porous minerals weather faster.
Harder minerals break apart more easily.
Minerals that dissolve easily weather slower.
Permeable rocks have less chemical reactions.
answer
Porous minerals weather faster.
question
Which describes how weathering and erosion are different?
Weathering is caused by water.
Erosion is caused by wind and ice.
Erosion transports sediments.
Weathering is a natural process.
answer
Erosion transports sediments.
question
What is one of the causes of mechanical weathering?
acid rain
oxidation
animal actions
carbon dioxide
answer
animal actions
question
Which factor contributes to both chemical and mechanical weathering?
abrasion
freezing
oxidation
water
answer
water
question
Which is one factor of rock types that affects the rate of weathering?
porosity
moisture
temperature
mineral color
Which describes a climate effect on the rate of weathering?
Cold climates favor mechanical weathering.
Chemical reactions occur slower at higher temperatures.
Lower precipitation levels lead to more chemical reactions.
The chemical reaction rates of minerals are not impacted by temperature.
answer
Cold climates favor mechanical weathering.
question
Organic material provides nitrogen for plants. Which soil component contributes the most nitrogen to plants?
clay
humus
sand
silt
answer
humus
question
Which property of soil depends on the size of particles?
color
odor
temperature
texture
answer
texture
question
Which correctly lists the three parts of soil that are classified by their particle size?
bedrock, humus, and clay
clay, bedrock, and silt
humus, sand, and clay
sand, clay, and silt
answer
sand, clay, and silt
question
Which is one property of clay soils?
is loose
retains water
drains quickly
has coarse particles
answer
retains water
question
Which describes the formation of Horizon B?
forms at the surface
features parent material
undergoes the most change
forms due to decomposed material
answer
undergoes the most change
question
Which increases the rate of soil formation?
mixed layers
more precipitation
cooler temperatures
very hard parent material
answer
more precipitation
question
Which describes the horizons in a soil profile?
Horizon A is mineral deficient.
Horizon O forms from organic material.
Horizon B undergoes the least amount of change.
Horizon C is most affected by the soil formation process.
answer
Horizon O forms from organic material.
question
Which is one factor that scientists use to classify orders of soil?
fertility
climate
dryness
bedrock
answer
climate
question
Which soil would most likely be found in the Arctic?
Andisols
Gelisols
Histosols
Spodosols
answer
Gelisols
question
Which term describes erosion?
creates small particles
hardens rock fragments
transports solid materials
dissolves rock components
answer
transports solid materials
question
Which rocks will likely weather the least?
rocks that are soft
rocks with a porous surface
rocks that are in a dry climate
rocks with minerals that dissolve easily
answer
rocks that are in a dry climate
question
Which describes bedrock?
consists of solid rock
lies directly above the soil layer
does not contain weathered rock
forms from decomposed material
answer
consists of solid rock
question
Which correctly lists the three types of rock particles that make up soil?
air, clay, and sand
clay, water, and silt
sand, clay, and silt
silt, water, and air
answer
sand, clay, and silt
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