Download Weathering and Erosion Study Guide

Weathering and Erosion Study Guide
Vocabulary
Mechanical Weathering
Chemical Weathering
No-till farming
Erosion
Leaching
Soil
Soil profile
Ice Wedging
Humus
Terracing
Contour Farming
Oxidation
____________________  When chemical reactions dissolve or alter the minerals in rocks or
change them into different
minerals
____________________  When rocks are broken apart by physical processes
____________________  Process in which surface materials are worn away and transported
from one place to another by
agents such as gravity and water
____________________  Occurs when some materials are exposed to oxygen and water.
____________________  The removal of minerals that have been dissolved in water.
____________________  a mixture of weathered rock, decayed organic matter, mineral
fragments, water, and air.
____________________  Method for reducing soil erosion; plant stalks are left in the field
after harvesting and the next
year’s crop is planted within the stalks without plowing
____________________  Occurs in temperate and cold climates where water enters cracks in
rocks and freezes.
____________________  All of the horizons of soil
____________________ Decayed organic matter that turns into a dark-colored material
____________________  Planting along the natural contours of the land to reduce soil
erosion.
____________________  Method in which steep-sided, level topped areas are built onto the
sides of steep hills and
mountains so that crops can be grown.
Write a P (physical change) or C (chemical change) next to each characteristic.
 Change in Color ________
 Change in odor ________
 Change in energy ________
 Change in state ________
 Change in shape ________
 Ability to dissolve ________
Write a M (mechanical weathering) or a C (chemical weathering) next to each example.
 Plant Roots ________
 Living Organisms ________
 Abrasion ________
 Water ________
 Oxygen ________
 Animal Actions ________
 Acid Rain________
 Freezing and thawing ________
 Release of Pressure ________
 Carbon Dioxide ________
Fill in the Blank
 The layer of soil that contains the most humus as well as smaller rock and mineral
particles than the other horizons is the __________ horizon.
 The organic material in humus includes ___________________________________.
 What is the main difference between mechanical and chemical weathering? (thinkchemical composition) ___________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
 In order for oxidation to occur ___________, ______________, and ______________ need
to be present.
 Litter is found in which horizon _____________.
 What is the piling of sediment in a new area? ____________________.
Write A (A-horizon), B (B-horizon), or C (C-horizon) next to each picture and
statement about soil horizons.
 Contains course sediments and parent material of soil __________
 Contains leached material from other layers ___________
 Dark, fertile coil containing humus ___________



___________
___________
___________
Write W (weathering), E (erosion), D (deposition) next to each example
 Flood water pounding against a canyon wall and wearing it down ___________
 Rain washing away soil from a hillside ___________
 Layers of sediment forming at the bottom of the ocean ___________
 A mudslide flowing down a steep hill ___________
 Caves being formed by acid rain dissolving underground limestone ___________
 Waves dropping sane on the beach ___________
Name the five factors that affect soil erosion.
1. _______________________
4. _______________________
2. _______________________
5. _______________________
3. _______________________
Explain the difference between soil in a desert and soil in a tropical rain forest (think
about the pores of the soil).
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Evaluate why soil erosion is a serious problem for agriculture
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________