Download Review Worksheet – Mechanical and Chemical Weathering and

Name:_____________________________ Date: _____________
Block: _____________________________
Review Worksheet – Mechanical and Chemical Weathering
and Erosion
Directions: From the list below sort the Weathering Processes into the correct column depending on whether
each is an example of Mechanical (Physical) Weathering or Chemical Weathering.
Frost Action
Oxidation
Animal Activity
Acid rain
Abrasion (Exfoliation)
Water Dissolves Minerals in Rocks
Thermal (Heat) Expansion & Contraction
Root Wedging
Carbonation (Dissolution)
Hydrolysis
Human Activity
Hydration
Mechanical (Physical) Weathering
Chemical Weathering
Directions: Complete each of the following short answers, using the terms found below.
Oxygen
Mineral Composition
Climate
Time
Iron
Water
1. Rust forms by ______________________, ___________________ and ____________________ interacting.
Note: One of the forces is a gas, another is a mineral and one is a liquid.
2. The following forces can change the rate at which rocks weather: _______________________,
______________________________, and _____________________________.
PDS/Earth Science and Honors Earth Science/December 11, 2009
Directions: Fill in the blanks with the correct choice of word(s) from the 2 lists in the box below. Note: A
word may be used more than once.
chemical weathering
dry
hot
minerals
humid
surface area
water
cleavage
roots
fragments
cold
sun
1. The best conditions for chemical weathering to take place is a climate that is _________________ and
__________________.
2. The best conditions for frost action to take place is a climate that is _________________ and
__________________.
3. __________________ speeds up chemical weathering processes.
4. Mechanical weathering breaks down large rocks into smaller _______________. This enables the process of
______________ _______________ to take place faster and more easily due to an increase in the
_______________ ________________ of exposed rock material.
5. Some rocks are more resistant to weathering than other rocks. This is because the ___________________ in
the rocks are harder and more resistant to weathering.
Directions: Match each of the following actions with the correct type of weathering (Mechanical or Chemical)
that is ongoing.
_____ 1. Roots uplifting sidewalk
a. Weathering by the actions of animals
_____ 2. Ice Wedging
b. Chemical Weathering
_____ 3. Chipmunks and Rabbits
c. Mechanical weathering
_____ 4. Acid Rain
d. Weathering by the actions of plants
Directions: Identify each statement below as a statement below as an example of Mechanical or Chemical
weathering. Write “M” for Mechanical or “C” for Chemical in the blank provided.
_____ 1. the wedging of tree roots along natural joints in granite
_____ 2. limestone dissolved by carbonic acid
_____ 3. the oxidation of minerals that contain iron
_____ 4. animal burrows dug in rock that let in water and air
_____ 5. repeated freezing and thawing of water that cracks rock
PDS/Earth Science and Honors Earth Science/December 11, 2009
_____ 6. the action of water, salt and air on car fenders
_____ 7. acids from plant roots that break up rocks
_____ 8. formation of potholes in streets during severe winters
_____ 9. raised sections of sidewalk along tree-lined streets
_____ 10. a small rock falling from a cliff
_____ 11. feldspar mixing with water and producing clay minerals
_____ 12. halite in rocks dissolving in water
_____ 13. decaying plants dissolving minerals in rocks
_____ 14. tree roots cracking the concrete foundation of a house
_____ 15. iron lawn furniture rusting outside
_____ 16. leaves decaying in the forest
PDS/Earth Science and Honors Earth Science/December 11, 2009