Earth's Energy Systems Unit Test
7 of 137 of 13 Items
Question
How can plants cause weathering? (1 point)
Responses
Plants attract animals, and animals can burrow into rocks.
Plants attract animals, and animals can burrow into rocks.
Chemical reactions in plants change rocks and break them into smaller pieces.
Chemical reactions in plants change rocks and break them into smaller pieces.
Sprouting seeds and growing roots can cause rocks to break.
Sprouting seeds and growing roots can cause rocks to break.
Plants need water, and water can weather rocks.
Plants need water, and water can weather rocks.
All of the responses are correct. Plants can cause weathering through a combination of attracting animals that can burrow into rocks, chemical reactions that change rocks and break them into smaller pieces, and the growth of roots that can cause rocks to break. Additionally, plants need water, and water can weather rocks through processes like freezing and thawing or erosion.
The correct answer is: Sprouting seeds and growing roots can cause rocks to break.
To answer the question, "How can plants cause weathering?", we need to understand the processes involved in weathering and the role plants play in these processes.
Weathering refers to the breakdown and alteration of rocks and minerals at or near the Earth's surface. There are two main types of weathering: physical weathering and chemical weathering.
Physical weathering occurs when rocks are physically broken down into smaller pieces without any change in their chemical composition. This can happen due to various factors like temperature changes, wind erosion, freeze-thaw cycles, and the growth of plant roots.
Plants can cause weathering primarily through physical weathering mechanisms. There are two ways in which plants contribute to physical weathering:
1. Sprouting seeds and growing roots: As plants grow, their roots extend into the ground and exert pressure on the surrounding rocks. This pressure can cause cracks to form and rocks to break apart. It is especially effective in areas where cracks or joints already exist in the rocks.
2. Water absorption: Plants require water to survive, and their roots absorb water from the soil. This water absorption process can accelerate weathering by causing the rocks to expand and contract as they absorb and lose moisture. The repeated expansion and contraction can lead to the development of small fractures and can speed up the physical breakdown of rocks.
Therefore, the correct response to the question "How can plants cause weathering?" is:
- Sprouting seeds and growing roots can cause rocks to break.
- Plants need water, and water can weather rocks.
So, the answer is "Sprouting seeds and growing roots can cause rocks to break" and "Plants need water, and water can weather rocks."