Physical weathering quick check answers
1. What is physical weathering?
Physical weathering is the process by which rocks and minerals are broken down into smaller pieces by physical forces such as temperature changes, water, wind, ice, or plant growth.
2. How does temperature contribute to physical weathering?
Temperature changes can cause rocks to expand and contract, putting stress on the rock and eventually causing it to break apart.
3. How does water contribute to physical weathering?
Water can enter cracks in rocks and freeze, expanding and causing the rock to fracture. Water can also erode rocks over time through rain or waves.
4. How does wind contribute to physical weathering?
Wind can carry small particles, such as sand or airborne dust, and these particles can abrade or wear away the surface of rocks and other structures.
5. How does ice contribute to physical weathering?
When water freezes, it expands and exerts pressure on its surroundings. This expansion can cause rocks to crack or break apart.
6. How does plant growth contribute to physical weathering?
Plant roots can penetrate cracks in rocks and exert pressure as they grow, leading to the fragmentation of the rock over time.
7. Give an example of physical weathering.
One example of physical weathering is the formation of potholes on a road due to the expansion and contraction of water that seeps into cracks in the pavement.
8. How does physical weathering affect the shape of rocks?
Physical weathering can cause rocks to become rounded or fragmented, as their original shape is broken down by physical forces.
9. How does physical weathering contribute to the formation of soil?
Physical weathering breaks down rocks into smaller particles, which, combined with other organic material, contributes to the formation of soil.
10. Does physical weathering occur quickly or slowly?
Physical weathering can occur both quickly and slowly, depending on the specific conditions and forces acting on the rocks.