Mechanical Weathering Quiz

What is mechanical weathering?

• The process of breaking down rocks through chemical changes.

• The physical breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces without changing their chemical composition.

• The biological growth on rocks that causes them to disintegrate.

• The transportation of sediment by wind and water.

Which of the following is an example of mechanical weathering?

• Oxidation of minerals in rocks.

• Dissolution of limestone by acid rain.

• Growth of tree roots in cracks of rocks.

• Formation of caves by carbonic acid in groundwater.

What role does water play in mechanical weathering?

• It dissolves rocks completely, leading to weathering.

• It acts as a lubricant to speed up the weathering process.

• It freezes in the cracks of rocks, expanding and causing the rock to break apart.

• It combines chemically with minerals in the rock to break them down.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

How does temperature contribute to mechanical weathering?

• By causing rocks to melt and reform into different shapes.

• Through the expansion and contraction of rocks, leading to their breakdown.

• By increasing the rate of chemical reactions that weather rocks.

• Temperature has no effect on mechanical weathering.

What is frost wedging?

• The process of water freezing in the atmosphere, forming frost.

• A type of chemical weathering involving water and cold temperatures.

• The mechanical breakup of rock caused by the expansion of freezing water in cracks and crevices.

• The wedging apart of rocks by ice sheets and glaciers.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Which factor does NOT affect the rate of mechanical weathering?

• Rock type and composition.

• Climate, especially temperature and moisture levels.

• The presence of soil and vegetation.

• The color of the rock.

What is exfoliation in the context of mechanical weathering?

• The peeling of layers from rocks due to chemical reactions.

• The washing away of outer rock layers by heavy rain.

• The removal of overlying pressure, causing the rock to expand and fracture.

• The biological removal of rock layers by tree roots and lichens.

How do animals contribute to mechanical weathering?

• By moving and breaking rocks as they dig burrows.

• Through the chemical reactions caused by animal waste.

• By eating rocks and breaking them down in their digestive systems.

• Animals do not contribute to mechanical weathering.

What is abrasion in mechanical weathering?

• The smoothing of surfaces by chemical reactions.

• The grinding away of rock by other rock particles carried in water, ice, or wind.

• The process of rocks cracking due to biological activity.

• The layering of sediment that compresses and weathers rock below.

Why are mountain tops and cliff faces common sites of mechanical weathering?

• They are more exposed to chemical reactions in the atmosphere.

• They are often struck by lightning, which breaks the rock apart.

• They are more exposed to the physical forces of wind, water, and temperature changes.

• These areas have a higher concentration of biological organisms that weather the rock.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2