Guided Notes about Weathering

1
Guided Notes about Weathering

• Section 7.1

2
Weathering

• Weathering is the process by which rocks on or
  near Earths surface break down and change.

3
Erosion

• Erosion is the removal and transport of weathered
  material from one location to another.

4

• There are two types of weathering
• Mechanical
• Chemical

5
Mechanical Weathering

• Mechanical weathering is the process by which
  rocks break down into smaller pieces. It is also
  called physical weathering and doesnt involve
  any change in the rocks composition.

6
Water

• Water is the most important agent of mechanical
  weathering, but wind also plays a role.

7

• Two factors influence the amount of mechanical
  weathering that will occur
• Temperature
• Pressure

8
Chemical Weathering

• Chemical weathering is the process by which rocks
  and minerals undergo changes in their composition
  as a result of chemical reactions.

9

• There are four agents of chemical weathering
• Water
• Oxygen
• Carbon dioxide
• Acid precipitation

10

• Four factors affect the rate of weathering
• Climate
• Rock type
• Surface area
• Topography

11
Climate

• Climate plays a role in weathering because
  certain climates encourage different types of
  weathering. Chemical weathering occurs most
  readily in warm, humid climates. Physical
  weathering occurs most readily in cool, dry
  climates.

12
Sedimentary Rocks

• Sedimentary rock types are more easily weathered
  than any other type of rock.

13
Surface area

• As the surface area of a rock increases due to
  weathering, the rate of weathering also increases.

14
Topography

• Rocks that are located on a slope are more likely
  to be weathered because gravity can cause them to
  move more readily.