Weathering & Erosion

Front

What is weathering?

Back

The process of breaking down rocks into smaller pieces through physical or chemical means.

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What is erosion?

Back

The movement of weathered rock and soil from one location to another, often by water, wind, or ice.

Front

What are the two main types of weathering?

Back

Chemical weathering and physical weathering.

Front

What is chemical weathering?

Back

The process that breaks down rocks through chemical reactions, such as the dissolution of limestone in water.

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What is physical weathering?

Back

The process that breaks down rocks into smaller pieces without changing their chemical composition, such as frost wedging.

Front

What is frost wedging?

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A type of physical weathering where water seeps into cracks in rocks, freezes, and expands, causing the rock to break apart.

Front

What is deposition?

Back

The process where sediments are laid down in new locations, such as sediment piling up at the mouth of a river.

Front

What is an example of chemical weathering?

Back

Limestone rocks dissolving in water.

Front

What is an example of physical weathering?

Back

Plant roots growing through concrete and splitting it.

Front

What is the role of water in weathering?

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Water can cause both chemical weathering (by dissolving minerals) and physical weathering (by freezing and expanding).