Question 1

In nature, where does the acidity come from to speed up chemical weathering?
A)nuée ardentes from explosive volcanic eruptions
B)Bowen's reaction series
C)plutonism
D)organic acids from decayed plants, acid rain, and sulphuric acid from oxidation of pyrite

Accepted Answer

The acidity in nature that speeds up chemical weathering comes from the decayed plants that release organic acids, acid rain, and sulphuric acid that results from the oxidation of pyrite.

Question 2

Which one of the following statements is false?
A)Mechanical weathering reduces grain sizes of rock particles.
B)Mechanical weathering allows for faster rates of chemical weathering.
C)Mechanical weathering is important in the formation of talus slopes.
D)Mechanical weathering involves a major change in the mineral composition of the weathered material.

Accepted Answer

Mechanical weathering involves the physical breakdown of rock particles without changing their mineral composition. Chemical weathering, on the other hand, involves the chemical alteration of rock minerals. Therefore, statement D is false.

Question 3

________ is the dissolution or decomposition of minerals and rocks.
A)Chemical weathering
B)Hydrolysis
C)Mechanical weathering
D)Rendering

Accepted Answer

Chemical weathering refers to the breakdown of minerals and rocks caused by chemical reactions with water and gases in the atmosphere, resulting in the dissolution or decomposition of the material. Hydrolysis is one of the most common chemical weathering processes, in which water reacts with mineral grains to create new minerals and dissolve others. Mechanical weathering, on the other hand, refers to the physical break-up of rocks into smaller pieces without any chemical change in the material. Rendering is not a term commonly used in the context of weathering.

Question 4

In which area would weathering by frost wedging probably be most effective?
A)in a moist, tropical forest
B)in cool, high desert areas
C)where the subsoil is permanently frozen
D)in moist, temperate climates

Accepted Answer

The answer of In which area would weathering by frost...

Question 5

The three major processes involved in chemical weathering are ________.
A)carbonation, dissimulation, and salinization
B)dissolution, hydrolysis, and oxidation
C)precipitation, ion exchange reactions, and degasification
D)recrystallization, pitting, and rinsing

Accepted Answer

The three major processes involved in chemical weathering are dissolution, hydrolysis, and oxidation, and these are the options listed under choice B. Choice A includes "dissimulation" which is not a recognized process in chemical weathering, and choice C includes "degasification" which is not a major process in chemical weathering. Choice D includes "pitting" and "rinsing" which are not recognized processes in chemical weathering.

Question 6

As ________ increases the surface area of a rock or mineral, this allows ________ to occur at a faster rate.
A)chemical weathering, mechanical weathering
B)infernal weathering, mechanistic weathering
C)mechanical weathering, chemical weathering
D)recrystallization, carnal weathering

Accepted Answer

Mechanical weathering refers to the physical breakdown of rocks and minerals, increasing their surface area. This, in turn, allows for chemical weathering to occur at a faster rate as more of the surface area is exposed to chemical reactions. Therefore, option C is the correct answer. Option A is incorrect as it reverses the cause and effect of the process. Option B and D are both incorrect as they do not accurately describe the weathering processes involved.

Question 7

Which of the following best describes sets of fractures in relatively fresh bedrock, such as granite, that are roughly parallel to the land surface?
A)thermal expansion cracks
B)sheeting fractures
C)hydrolytic failures
D)columnar joints

Accepted Answer

Sheet fractures are sets of fractures in fresh bedrock that are roughly parallel to the land surface. They are caused by the removal of overlying rock and release of pressure from the rock beneath, resulting in expansion and the formation of fractures that resemble sheets. Thermal expansion cracks are caused by temperature changes and are not necessarily parallel to the land surface. Hydrolytic failures are caused by chemical weathering and columnar joints are a type of fracture that is roughly perpendicular to the land surface.

Question 8

Frost wedging is the major weathering process contributing to the formation of which regolith material?
A)tropical laterites
B)talus slopes
C)C soil horizons
D)lunar soils

Accepted Answer

Talus slopes are formed by the accumulation of debris that has been weathered from the surrounding rock by processes such as frost wedging. Frost wedging occurs when water freezes and expands in cracks and crevices, causing the rock to break apart. This is particularly effective in environments with repeated freeze-thaw cycles, such as high-altitude mountain regions.

Question 9

The physical removal of dissolved or disaggregated rock from the site of weathering by wind, water, or ice is termed ________.
A)ablation
B)erosion
C)recidivism
D)solifluction

Accepted Answer

Erosion is the process of physically removing weathered material from its original location. Ablation refers specifically to the loss of ice or snow mass through melting or sublimation. Recidivism refers to a relapse or repetition of a behavior. Solifluction is a slow movement of soil downhill due to freezing and thawing.

Question 10

The downslope transfer of loose rock and soil particles by the force of gravity is called ________.
A)gravity
B)mass wasting
C)mass migration
D)slopewash

Accepted Answer

Mass wasting is the downslope movement of rock and soil under the influence of gravity. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not accurately describe the process of mass wasting.

Question 11

Which term best describes an accumulation of angular rock fragments at the base of a steep, bedrock slope or cliff?
A)bajada
B)fanglomerate
C)rock and roll
D)talus slope

Accepted Answer

A talus slope is formed by the accumulation of angular rock fragments at the base of a steep bedrock slope or cliff. This happens due to the physical weathering and erosion processes that cause rocks to break and fall from the steep slope, leading to their accumulation at the base. Option A, bajada, refers to a broad, sloping deposit of sediment formed at the base of a mountain range by the coalescence of multiple alluvial fans. Option B, fanglomerate, is a sedimentary rock composed of poorly sorted and angular fragments of various rocks, including large boulders, gravels, sands, and clay. Option C, rock and roll, is not a geological term and is not related to the accumulation of rock fragments at the base of a slope.

Question 12

________ is the great reduction in pressure from erosion and it leads to the formation of ________ in mountainous exposures of granitic batholiths.
A)Relief, horns or tinds
B)Offloading, deep valleys
C)Flatulence, plateaus
D)Sheeting, exfoliation domes

Accepted Answer

Sheeting is the process in which overlying rock is eroded away, relieving pressure on the underlying rock, causing it to expand and crack, leading to the formation of exfoliation domes in mountainous exposures of granitic batholiths.

Question 13

Which one of the following statements is the best description of erosion?
A)disintegration and decomposition of rocks and minerals at the surface
B)movement of weathered rock and regolith toward the base of a slope
C)the process by which weathered rock and mineral particles are removed from one area and transported elsewhere
D)the combined processes of leaching, eluviation, and mass wasting

Accepted Answer

Erosion involves the removal and transportation of weathered rock and mineral particles from one area to another, which matches option C. Option A describes weathering, not erosion. Option B describes mass wasting, which is a component of erosion but not the entire process. Option D describes specific sub-processes within erosion, not the entire process itself.

Question 14

The principal causes of mechanical fragmentation of rocks in place are ________.
A)always inscrutable because they happened at some time in the past
B)biologic activity, expansion from sheeting, frost wedging
C)erosion and transport by moving wind, water, or ice
D)the relentless actions of Sisyphus

Accepted Answer

Mechanical fragmentation of rocks in place can occur due to biologic activity like plant roots growing in cracks or the expansion from sheeting. Frost wedging where water gets into the cracks and expands when it freezes is also a significant cause.

Question 15

________ are regularly spaced planar fracture sets in rocks that result from: expansional unloading, tectonic forces, or thermal contraction upon cooling (especially igneous rocks).
A)Cracks
B)Faults
C)Fissures
D)Joints

Accepted Answer

Joints are regularly spaced planar fracture sets in rocks that result from various factors such as expansional unloading, tectonic forces, and thermal contraction upon cooling. Cracks and fissures are also fractures in rocks, but they may not necessarily be regularly spaced or planar. Faults, on the other hand, are larger-scale fractures in rocks that result in movement along the fracture plane.

Question 16

Which one of the following is an important, mechanical weathering process for enlarging fractures and extending them deeper into large boulders and bedrock?
A)oxidation
B)eluviation
C)hydrologic cycling
D)frost wedging

Accepted Answer

Frost wedging is the mechanical weathering process by which water seeps into cracks in rock, freezes, and expands, enlarging the cracks and breaking down the rock over time. This process is particularly effective in cold and humid environments.

Question 17

Dissolution of minerals occurs because most minerals are ionic crystals and ________.
A)their bonds eventually wear out
B)water molecules are strongly polarized, effectively competing with ionic bonds
C)water selectively removes all of their smaller anions
D)water selectively absorbs all of their electrons until the crystals fall apart

Accepted Answer

Most minerals are ionic crystals, meaning they are composed of positively and negatively charged ions held together by ionic bonds. Water molecules are polarized and have the ability to surround and separate the ions, disrupting the ionic bonds and causing the mineral to dissolve.

Question 18

Which term best describes those processes that move weathered rock materials and soils downslope?
A)podzolization
B)slope sheeting
C)mass wasting
D)talus transfer

Accepted Answer

Mass wasting is the term used to describe the movement of weathered rock materials and soils downslope. Slope sheeting refers to the parallel layers formed in rock near the surface due to weathering and erosion. Podzolization is the process by which soils become acidic and infertile due to heavy rainfall. Talus transfer describes the process of rocks accumulating at the base of a cliff or steep slope.

Question 19

Which are examples of Earth's external processes?
A)compaction, dewatering, and cementation of sediments
B)erosion, weathering, and mass wasting
C)radioactive decay, convection, and recrystallization
D)volcanism and mountain building

Accepted Answer

Erosion, weathering, and mass wasting are examples of Earth's external processes. These processes occur on the surface of the Earth and are driven by external forces such as wind, water, and gravity. They play a significant role in shaping and changing the landforms on Earth. Compaction, dewatering, and cementation of sediments are examples of Earth's internal processes, while radioactive decay, convection, and recrystallization are examples of Earth's internal energy processes. Volcanism and mountain building are also examples of Earth's internal processes.

Question 20

Assume that water filling a crack in a rock undergoes cycles of freezing and melting.Which of the following statements is true?
A)Water expands as it melts, causing the crack walls to be pushed apart.
B)Water shrinks as it freezes, causing the crack walls to be drawn closer together.
C)Water expands as it freezes, causing the crack walls to be pushed apart.
D)Water shrinks as it melts, causing the crack walls to be pulled closer together.

Accepted Answer

When water freezes, it expands and takes up more space than it did as a liquid. This expansion can push against the walls of the crack, causing them to be pushed apart. As the ice melts, the water returns to its liquid form and takes up less space, causing the crack walls to be pulled together. Therefore, the correct answer is C.

Quiz 5: Weathering and Soil

In nature, where does the acidity come from to speed up chemical weathering?

Which one of the following statements is false?

________ is the dissolution or decomposition of minerals and rocks.

In which area would weathering by frost wedging probably be most effective?

The three major processes involved in chemical weathering are ________.

As increases the surface area of a rock or mineral, this allows to occur at a faster rate.

Which of the following best describes sets of fractures in relatively fresh bedrock, such as granite, that are roughly parallel to the land surface?

Frost wedging is the major weathering process contributing to the formation of which regolith material?

The physical removal of dissolved or disaggregated rock from the site of weathering by wind, water, or ice is termed ________.

The downslope transfer of loose rock and soil particles by the force of gravity is called ________.

Which term best describes an accumulation of angular rock fragments at the base of a steep, bedrock slope or cliff?

is the great reduction in pressure from erosion and it leads to the formation of in mountainous exposures of granitic batholiths.

Which one of the following statements is the best description of erosion?

The principal causes of mechanical fragmentation of rocks in place are ________.

________ are regularly spaced planar fracture sets in rocks that result from: expansional unloading, tectonic forces, or thermal contraction upon cooling (especially igneous rocks) .

Which one of the following is an important, mechanical weathering process for enlarging fractures and extending them deeper into large boulders and bedrock?

Dissolution of minerals occurs because most minerals are ionic crystals and ________.

Which term best describes those processes that move weathered rock materials and soils downslope?

Which are examples of Earth's external processes?

Assume that water filling a crack in a rock undergoes cycles of freezing and melting.Which of the following statements is true?