Which phrase best describes frost wedging?(1 point) Responses a type of erosion that occurs due to temperature changes a type of erosion that occurs due to temperature changes a type of physical weathering that occurs due to friction a type of physical weathering that occurs due to friction a type of physical weathering that occurs due to temperature changes a type of physical weathering that occurs due to temperature changes a type of erosion that occurs due to friction

A type of physical weathering that occurs due to temperature changes.

The phrase "a type of physical weathering that occurs due to temperature changes" best describes frost wedging.

The correct answer is: a type of physical weathering that occurs due to temperature changes.

To arrive at the correct answer, we can break down the phrase and understand its components:

1. Frost: Frost refers to the formation of ice crystals on surfaces due to the freezing of water vapor in the atmosphere.

2. Wedging: Wedging refers to the process of something being forced apart or split by a wedge.

Now, let's combine these two concepts:

Frost wedging occurs when water seeps into cracks or pores in rocks or soil and freezes due to low temperatures. As water freezes, it expands and exerts pressure on the surrounding material. This expansion and pressure exerted by ice crystals cause the cracks or pores to widen and eventually split the material apart.

Therefore, frost wedging is a type of physical weathering because it involves the mechanical breaking of rocks or soil due to the expansion of water when it freezes. The cause of this process is temperature changes, specifically the freezing and thawing cycles.

Why are farming practices like terraced fields important in terms of soil conservation?(1 point) Responses They help limit the amount of soil that is produced, which is essential because soil is a renewable resource. They help limit the amount of soil that is produced, which is essential because soil is a renewable resource. They prevent soil from eroding and becoming lost, which is essential because soil is a nonrenewable resource. They prevent soil from eroding and becoming lost, which is essential because soil is a nonrenewable resource. They remove pollutants from the soil, which is essential because living things depend on pollutant-free soil. They remove pollutants from the soil, which is essential because living things depend on pollutant-free soil. They cause nutrients in the soil to leak out, which is essential because plants need nutrient-poor soil.

The phrase "They prevent soil from eroding and becoming lost, which is essential because soil is a nonrenewable resource" best describes why farming practices like terraced fields are important in terms of soil conservation.

Which statement is correct?(1 point) Responses There is a thick layer of topsoil in tropical rain forests. There is a thick layer of topsoil in tropical rain forests. There is a thin layer of topsoil in tropical rain forests. There is a thin layer of topsoil in tropical rain forests. There is a thick layer of humus in cold deserts. There is a thick layer of humus in cold deserts. There is a thick layer of humus in dry deserts.

There is a thin layer of topsoil in tropical rain forests.

Why do scientists think the Grand Canyon was once covered by an ocean?(1 point) Responses Only an ocean would have the strength to erode the rock forming the Grand Canyon. Only an ocean would have the strength to erode the rock forming the Grand Canyon. The sedimentary rock type forming layers of the canyon formed under the sea. The sedimentary rock type forming layers of the canyon formed under the sea. Seawater has been found seeping up through the canyon floor. Seawater has been found seeping up through the canyon floor. The Grand Canyon is located along coastlines that likely flooded. The Grand Canyon is located along coastlines that likely flooded.

The sedimentary rock type forming layers of the canyon formed under the sea.

What might cause a well to hold less water each year?(1 point) Responses The rocks in the well become harder. The rocks in the well become harder. The groundwater reaches freezing temperature. The groundwater reaches freezing temperature. An earthquake shifted the aquifer to a new spot. An earthquake shifted the aquifer to a new spot. The aquifer has slowly become dry over time. The aquifer has slowly become dry over time.