The three statements below are observations of the rock sample shown:
• The rock was found in Northern Arizona which has freezing nights and warm days
• The rock is split in half
• The rock has sharp edges
Using the observations above, which of the following processes most likely created the changes in the rock sample.
A.
plant action
B.
frost wedging
C.
abrasion
D.
oxidation
B. frost wedging
The accompanying map shows the Atlantic Ocean. Points A through D are locations on the ocean floor.
In moving from point C to point A the density of the ocean floor bedrock ___________
A.
remains the same.
B.
decreases
C.
increases
D.
there is no relation between distance from plate boundary and density.
B. decreases
To determine which process most likely created the changes in the rock sample, we need to analyze the provided observations and connect them with the processes listed.
Observation 1: The rock was found in Northern Arizona, which has freezing nights and warm days.
This observation suggests that temperature changes occur in the region. Temperature changes can cause the expansion and contraction of water within the rock, leading to physical stress.
Observation 2: The rock is split in half.
The fact that the rock is split in half indicates that some sort of force caused the rock to fracture. This force could be related to the physical stress mentioned in Observation 1.
Observation 3: The rock has sharp edges.
The presence of sharp edges suggests that the rock has undergone some form of erosion or wear and tear.
Now, let's consider the provided processes and see which one aligns with the observations:
A. Plant action: This process typically involves the growth of plant roots that exert pressure, leading to rock fragmentation. However, no observation indicates the involvement of plant action.
B. Frost wedging: This process occurs when water seeps into rocks and freezes, causing it to expand and potentially fracture the rock. Observation 1, which mentions freezing nights and warm days, could be an indicator of frost wedging.
C. Abrasion: This process involves the wearing away of rock surfaces due to the movement of particles or objects. While Observation 3 mentions the sharp edges, it does not directly indicate abrasion.
D. Oxidation: This process involves the reaction of rock minerals with oxygen, resulting in a change in color or composition. No observation suggests oxidation as the primary cause of the changes in the rock sample.
Based on the observations, the most likely process that created the changes in the rock sample is B. Frost wedging, as it aligns with the freezing nights and warm days mentioned in Observation 1, and the rock being split in half mentioned in Observation 2.