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Ch 5 Directed Reading – Weathering
1. Why has weathering become an important area of study for geologist? (p. 93)
2. Distinguish between weathering and erosion. (p. 94)
3. Distinguish between mechanical and chemical weathering. Give an example of each. (p.94)
4. Explain the mechanism of frost wedging. (p. 97)
5. Explain and illustrate with a diagram how the process of pressure release works. (p. 98)
6. Pressure release forms exfoliation domes. (p. 98)
a. What is meant by the term exfoliation?
b. Where are exfoliation domes found?
7. Name two other means of mechanical weathering other than frost wedging. (p. 98)
8. How does mechanical weathering influence chemical weathering? (p.99)
9. Weathering Rates (pp. 99-100)
a. Which is more likely to weather faster when exposed to the atmosphere: rocks formed
deep within the earth, or rocks that formed near the surface?
b. Why?
c. Which mineral is likely to weather faster: quartz or pyroxene?
10. Weathering Agents (p. 100-101)
a. What is the most effective agent of chemical weathering?
b. What is an important natural source of acid?
c. How do acids weather rock?
11. a. Name a mineral that is dissolved by chemical weathering?
b. What geologic feature is formed as a result of the weathering of this mineral? (p101-102)
12. Clay. (p. 102)
a. Where does clay come from?
b. Would you expect clay to be abundant?
c. Why?
13. How is weathering related to climate? Support your statement with two examples. (p. 103)
How? Example #1 –
Example #2 -
14. Quartz crystals and clay minerals are the most common minerals weathered from rock. What
roles do these particles play in soils? (p. 104)
15. Distinguish pedalfers from pedocals. (p. 106)
16. Soil horizons. (pp. 104-105)
a. What are soil horizons?
b. Describe the characteristic feature of each soil horizon listed below:
O-horizon –
A-horizon –
B-horizon –
C-horizon -