LET'S CHECKI A. Circle the letter of the best answer. 1. It is the breaking down of rocks into fragments. a. erosion b. flooding c. runoff d. weathering 2. A type of weathering that involves change in the composition of the rock a. chemical b. mechanical c. both chemical and mechanical d. none of the above 3. What do you call the process by which humans extract stones from the mountains for construction purposes? a. digging b. flattering c. weathering d. quarrying 4. What will happen to a rock when it is exposed to higher temperature? a. contracts b. evaporates c. expands d. sinks 5. An open-pit mine where rocks can be extracted. a. landfill b. open-field c. reservoir d. quarry B. Answer the following questions briefly. 1. How can waves contribute to the weathering of rocks? 2. Why is weathering an important process in the environment
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
LET’S CHECK
A. Circle the letter of the best answer.
- It is the breaking down of rocks into fragments.
→ d. weathering - A type of weathering that involves change in the composition of the rock
→ a. chemical - What do you call the process by which humans extract stones from the mountains for construction purposes?
→ d. quarrying - What will happen to a rock when it is exposed to higher temperature?
→ c. expands - An open-pit mine where rocks can be extracted.
→ d. quarry
B. Answer the following questions briefly.
1. How can waves contribute to the weathering of rocks?
Waves contribute to the weathering of rocks through a process called coastal or wave erosion. The constant crashing of waves against rocks causes the rocks to break down over time. This is mostly physical weathering, where the force of the water chips away at the rock surface, gradually breaking it into smaller fragments. Additionally, salt from seawater can cause chemical weathering by reacting with minerals in the rock.
2. Why is weathering an important process in the environment? (300-word explanation)
Weathering is a crucial natural process that plays a vital role in shaping Earth’s landscape and maintaining ecological balance. It is the breakdown of rocks into smaller particles through physical, chemical, or biological means. This process may seem slow, but its long-term effects are significant and essential for life on Earth.
One major importance of weathering is soil formation. Weathered rock particles combine with organic material to create soil, which is necessary for plant growth. Without weathering, there would be no fertile ground to support agriculture or natural vegetation. Soil not only supports plants but also provides a habitat for countless organisms, from insects to fungi and bacteria.
Weathering also regulates the Earth’s surface. By breaking down rocks, weathering helps level mountainous regions and contributes to sediment that forms rivers, valleys, and plains. These landforms influence water flow, ecosystems, and even climate patterns. Sediments from weathered rocks are carried by wind, rivers, and glaciers, eventually depositing nutrients in different parts of the ecosystem.
Additionally, weathering affects the carbon cycle. Chemical weathering of rocks, especially those containing calcium carbonate, can absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to regulate Earth’s climate over geological time.
In human terms, understanding weathering helps in construction and engineering, as it affects the durability of buildings, monuments, and roads. Weathered materials like sand and gravel are also used in construction.
In conclusion, weathering is more than just the breaking of rocks; it is a key environmental process that contributes to life, shapes the Earth’s surface, supports ecosystems, and helps regulate the global climate. Without weathering, the planet would look very different and be far less hospitable to life.
