Name Test Date Hour Earth Processes#1 - Notebook Weathering & Erosion LEARNING TARGETS I can explain the process of weathering. I can explain why weathering is important. I can describe the difference between mechanical and chemical weathering. I can describe the different types of mechanical weathering. I can describe the different types of chemical weathering. I can explain the process of erosion. I can describe the different types of erosion. I can describe the actions that will prevent erosion by wind and water. I can describe the Michigan Connections to weathering and erosion. Scientific Language 1. Weathering Processes that break rocks into smaller and smaller pieces.cesses that break rocks into smaller and smaller pieces. 2. Erosion The movement of sediments by gravity, wind, water or ice. 3. Mechanical Weathering Process in which rock is physically broken into smaller pieces. 4. Chemical Weathering Process that occurs when reactions dissolve or change the minerals in rocks. 5. Acids A chemical that reacts with substances changing their composition (make-up). 6. Oxidation A process of change that occurs when a metallic material is exposed to oxygen creating a new substance, like rust. 7. Root Pry The mechanical breaking of rock by the growth of plant roots in cracks in a rock. 8. Ice Wedging Process that splits rock when water seeps into cracks then freezes and expands. 9. Sediments Rock pieces created by the process of weathering and are classified by their increasingly smaller sizes and smoother textures. 10. Glaciers A large ice mass formed by years of snow accumulation, that moves slowly across Earth's surface.
Weathering Processes on Earth are continually working to and the landscapes around us. Two processes that play a major role in changing the surface of Earth are and. What is Weathering? Weathering is processes where rock is, or into smaller and smaller pieces. Why is weathering important? Breaking down rocks The process of weathering continues to happen again and again and can turn huge into particles. These smaller rock pieces are called. Sediments are classified by their. The largest of sediments are called. The smallest sizes are, and. The sediments get, the they feel. Sand is, silt is and clay is the.
Forming soil Sand, silt and clay are the sediments that make up. Soil is a mixture of, material, gasses, liquids and that support on Earth. Shaping landforms Unless you are looking at a recent eruption, the landforms you see have been by weathering. For example, mountains start out very,, with and no. After millions of years of weathering, they become with peaks and can be covered in. The process of weathering can occur in two ways: (physically) and. Mechanical Weathering weathering is a process in which rock is into smaller and smaller pieces. This process only changes the of the rock, the composition ( ) of the rock.
What are the causes of mechanical weathering? Water Rainfall, rivers and waves can and rocks over long periods of time. Wind When the wind blows it can sediments and these sediments can weather other rocks. This process is similar to. The small sediments in the wind parts of the larger rocks. This is more common in and climates. Root Pry As root grow in the cracks of or smaller rocks, they and the rock apart. Ice Wedging Comment in climates where temperatures reach the point. Water seeps into the of rocks. When the temperature drops low enough, the water will and. The ice works as a slowly the cracks and the rock. Animals When animals or they break apart rocks and sediments. They also move the rock pieces to the and them to additional weathering processes.
Temperature Changes Changes in (heating and cooling) cause rock to and. As this happens over and over again, the rock. Over time, the rock will. Michigan Connection! Which of these cause is responsible for the potholes in our roads? Explain. Chemical Weathering weathering will change the that make up rocks and soil. Chemical reactions the minerals in rocks changing them into. What are the causes of chemical weathering? Plant Acids Plant acids or happens when plants break down the of minerals. Think back to succession. Lichens and mosses slowly the surface of rocks. Carbonic Acid from the air or soil can combine with water. This produces a weak, called acid (also found in ), that can rock. Carbonic acid is especially effective at calcite, which is the main mineral in.
Oxidation Oxidation works on rocks that contain. These rocks in a process where combines with to make. As the rust, it weakens the rock and helps apart. Acid Rain Human s contributes to a type of chemical weathering, called. When are burned they release into the air. When these chemicals combine with sunlight and, they change into acids, back to Earth as acid rain. Acid rain rapidly weathers and marble. Your turn! How are Mechanical Weathering and Chemical Weathering similar and different? Erosion What is Erosion? Rock that has been weakened and broken up by the process of weathering is ready for. Erosion is the process that happens when rocks and sediments are and to another place.
What are the causes of erosion? Water The major agent of erosion is water. carries away bits of soil. Streams and rivers wear away their. Waves change the shapes of. As rock particles get in rivers and waves they continue to be mechanically weathered and the edges get and. Often we want to erosion from happening to preserve certain landscapes, such as our yards and our shorelines. What actions can prevent erosion by water? More erosion Less Erosion vegetation more slopes more soil beaches Ice retaining pipes Glaciers cause erosion by acting like and. Glaciers will and sediments as they move across a landscape. A glacier is made up of fallen that, over many years, compresses into large, thickened masses. Due to their huge, glaciers flow like very slow. Michigan Connection! What physical feature of Michigan was formed by erosion by ice? Explain.
Wind Wind erosion is a environmental problem. It is common in flat, bare areas with, soils. Wind erosion damages land and natural by removing soil from one place and it in another. What actions can prevent erosion by wind? More erosion Less Erosion areas climates areas less areas sediments areas soil areas vegetation obstacles (like and ) sediments to no wind Michigan Connection! What physical feature of Michigan was formed by erosion by wind? Explain how they are formed. Gravity Gravity is indirectly responsible for erosion by flowing and, because gravity pulls water and ice. Gravity is directly responsible for erosion by pulling,, and down cliffs and hillsides.