question

the process by which rocks on or near earth's surface breakdown or change

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weathering

question

the removal and transport of weathered material from one location to another

answer

erosion

question

the type of weathering by which rocks and minerals break down into smaller pieces

answer

mechanical weathering

question

mechanical weathering is also called

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physical weathering

question

these are the two major factors of mechanical weathering

answer

temperature and pressure

question

Frozen water takes up __% more space than liquid water

answer

9

question

the repeated thawing and freezing of water in the cracks of rocks

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frost wedging

question

the process by which outer rock layers are stripped away

answer

exfoliation

question

the process by which rocks and minerals undergo changes in their composition as the result of chemical reactions

answer

chemical weathering

question

agents of chemical weathering include: water, oxygen, carbon dioxide and ______

answer

acids

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the rate of chemical weathering reactions doubles with each __°C increase in temperature

answer

10

question

the reaction of water with other substances

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hydrolysis

question

the chemical reaction of oxygen with other substances

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oxidation

question

the percent of earth's atmosphere which is oxygen gas

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21

question

this atmospheric gas contributes to the chemical weathering process by combining with water and forming carbonic acid

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carbon dioxide

question

the variables which effect the rate of weathering

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climate, rock type and composition, surface area and topography and other variables

question

this type of weathering occurs in climates with warm temperatures, abundant rainfall and lush vegetation

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chemical weathering

question

this type of weathering occurs in cool, dry climates

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mechanical weathering

question

this rock type is the most susceptible to weathering processes

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sedimentary

question

the interaction between __________ and ____________ has the greatest effect on a region's rate of weathering

answer

temperature, precipitation

question

when materials are dropped in a location in a process known as this, the final stage in the erosional process

answer

deposition

question

this force is associated with many erosional agents, because this force tends to pull all materials downslope

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gravity

question

the erosion by running water in small channels, on the side of a slope

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rill erosion

question

when a channel becomes deep and wide it can evolve into this type of erosion, gullies can be more than 3m deep

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gully erosion

question

coastal areas undergo erosion by ____________ and ______

answer

ocean waves, wind

question

when a river enters a large body of water, such as the ocean, the water slows down and deposits large amounts of sediments, forming these

answer

deltas

question

agents of erosion

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gravity, running water, glaciers and wind

question

a major erosional agent in areas with limited precipitation and high temperatures

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wind

question

erode by scraping, gouging and picking up large rock and debris piles

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glaciers

question

the loose covering of broken rock particles and decaying organic matter, called humus, overlying the bedrock of earth's surface

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soil

question

the solid bedrock from which weathered pieces of rock first break off

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parent bedrock

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soil located above its parent material

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residual soil

question

soil that has been moved from its parent bedrock to another location

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transported soil

question

the vertical sequence of soil layers

answer

soil profile

question

a distinct layer, or zone, within a soil profile

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soil horizon

question

the three major soil horizons

answer

A, B and C

question

high concentrations of organic matter and humus are found in this soil horizon (soils rich in humus are usually dark coloured)

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A

question

organic, dark material remaining after decomposition of living organisms

answer

humus

question

this soil horizon contains subsoils that are enriched with clay minerals

answer

B

question

this soil horizon is directly above the bedrock and contains weathered parent material

answer

C

question

this soil horizon commonly has a zone of accumulation consisting of soluble minerals that have been washed out from the topsoil, the horizon may be red or brown in colour due to the presence of iron oxides

answer

B

question

in the B soil horizon this hard material is commonly found, which may be so dense that it doesn't allow much water through it

answer

hardpan

question

dependant on the region, this effects the thickness of the developing soil

answer

topography

question

slopes facing this direction receive more direct sunlight and have somewhat thicker soils that slopes facing in other directions

answer

south

question

which has more fertile soils valleys or slopes

answer

slopes

question

the four major types of soil (alphabetical)

answer

desert, polar, temperate and tropical

question

these soils form at high altitudes and high elevations such as Greenland, Canada and Antartica, the soil has good drainage but no distinct horizons because they are very shallow

answer

polar soils

question

permanently frozen ground

answer

permafrost

question

these soils vary greatly and are able to support such diverse environments as forests, grasslands and prairies

answer

temperate soils

question

these soils receive low levels of precipitation, as a result they often have accumulated salts and can support only a limited amount of vegetation

answer

desert soils

question

these soils experience high temperatures and heavy rainfall, leading to intensely weathered and often infertile soil

answer

tropical soils

question

particles of soil are classified according to this

answer

size

question

the smallest particle of soil

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clay

question

the largest particle of soil

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sand

question

the measure of how well a soil can support the growth of plants

answer

soil fertility

question

a soil's ___________ and the _______ in which it developed are the main factors that determine a soil's colour

answer

composition, climate

Chapter 7: Weathering, Erosion and Soil – Flashcards

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