Fill in Blanks
1. sediments form in the process of ______ weathering
2. ice wedging occurs because water ______ when it freezes
3. wind blown sand can cause erosion by _______
4. _______ weathering changes the chemical composition of rocks
5. water can cause chemical weathering by ________ rick
6. the element _______ can change the iron in rocks to rust
7. _______ rocks weather slowly because they are very hard
1. Sediments form in the process of weathering and erosion. Weathering is the breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces through processes like mechanical weathering (physical forces such as abrasion and freeze-thaw cycles) and chemical weathering (chemical reactions that break down the minerals in rocks).
2. Ice wedging occurs because water expands when it freezes. When water gets into cracks and crevices in rocks and then freezes, the expanding ice exerts pressure on the surrounding rock, leading to the wedging or breaking of the rock.
3. Wind-blown sand can cause erosion by abrasion. As strong winds blow sand particles against rock surfaces, they wear away or erode the material through grinding and scraping actions.
4. Chemical weathering changes the chemical composition of rocks. This process involves the breakdown and alteration of minerals in rocks, often caused by chemical reactions with substances like water, oxygen, or acids. Examples of chemical weathering include dissolution, oxidation, and hydrolysis.
5. Water can cause chemical weathering by dissolving rock. Water can act as a solvent, meaning it can dissolve certain minerals in rocks. Over time, the continuous exposure of rocks to water can result in the dissolution and removal of minerals, leading to the weathering of the rock.
6. The element oxygen can change the iron in rocks to rust. When iron minerals in rocks are exposed to oxygen and water, a chemical reaction called oxidation occurs. This reaction causes the iron to combine with oxygen, forming a reddish-brown compound known as rust.
7. Igneous rocks weather slowly because they are very hard. Igneous rocks, which form from the solidification of molten material (magma or lava), tend to have a crystalline structure and are composed of minerals that are resistant to weathering. As a result, igneous rocks are more durable and weather slowly compared to other types of rocks like sedimentary or metamorphic rocks, which are composed of smaller particles or have undergone changes in their structure due to heat and pressure.
1. Sediments form in the process of mechanical weathering.
2. Ice wedging occurs because water expands when it freezes.
3. Wind blown sand can cause erosion by abrasion.
4. Chemical weathering changes the chemical composition of rocks.
5. Water can cause chemical weathering by dissolving rock.
6. The element oxygen can change the iron in rocks to rust.
7. Igneous rocks weather slowly because they are very hard.