Weathering Questions

Weathering is the process of breaking down or dissolving rocks and minerals on the Earth’s surface. In this process, the deterioration of rocks, minerals, soils, acid, wood, and artificial materials are in contact with atmospheric gases, water, and biological organisms. The action of weather, animals, climate, and plants on the land surfaces can break them down physically, biologically, and chemically. Weathering processes are divided into:

• Physical weathering
• Chemical weathering
• Biological weathering

Physical weathering involves the breakdown of rocks and soils through the mechanical effects of heat, water, ice, or other agents. Physical weathering is also known as mechanical weathering. Chemical weathering takes place with the action of water, atmospheric gases, and biologically produced chemicals on rocks and soils. Water is the common agent in physical weathering and chemical weathering. Weathering is the main part of the rock cycle. The materials left over after the rock breaks down, combine with organic material to create soil. The main sources of physical weathering are the contraction of rock and thermal expansion. Biological weathering is the process of breaking, and the gradual breakdown of rocks by the action of plants, animals, and microbes. Plants that grow on the rocks exert pressure through the roots on the rock. Microbial activity also disintegrates rock minerals by changing the chemical constituents of the rock, making it more weather sensitive.

Read more: Types of rocks

We know that organisms like fungi release chemical substances, these substances are capable of breaking down rock minerals. These minerals are consumed by the algae. Holes and gaps on the rock continue to develop and this process continues, exposing the rock to physical and chemical weathering.

Factors affecting weathering:

• Climate affects the rate of weathering.
• The mineralogical constitution of rock affects the rate of disintegration or alteration.
• The rock’s texture also determines the type of weathering which takes place.

Note: Fine-grain rock is less susceptible to physical disintegration, and is more susceptible to chemical alteration.

Sometimes the process of erosion is confused with weathering. Erosion is the process by which soil and rock particles are moved to other places by the action of water, ice, and wind. Weathering does not require any moving agent of transport. Weathering and soil erosion can take place simultaneously.

Important Weathering Questions with Answers

1. Acidic water breakdown of rock producing clay and soluble salts takes place through______
2. Physical weathering
3. Chemical weathering
4. Biological weathering
5. None of the above options

Answer: b) Chemical weathering

Explanation: The breakdown of rock producing clay and soluble salts takes place through acidic water, and this is known as hydrolysis. It comes under chemical weathering.

2. Choose YES or NO: Plants growing on the rock are one of the main sources of biological weathering.

1. YES
2. NO

Answer: YES

Explanation: The roots of the plant exert pressure on the rock and result in breaking. Hence, it is one of the main reasons for biological weathering.

3. Physical weathering is also known as_____

1. Mass weathering
2. Material weathering
3. Mechanical weathering
4. Monitor weathering

Answer: c) Mechanical weathering

Explanation: Physical weathering is also known as mechanical weathering since it involves the mechanical effects of heat, water, ice, or other agents to break down rocks.

4. Which is the common agent used in chemical and physical weathering?

1. Gases
2. Water
3. Heat
4. Fungi

Answer: b) Water

Explanation: Water is the common agent used in chemical as well as physical weathering.

5. State true or false: Weathering involves moving soil particles and rocks to other places with the action of ice, water, and wind.

1. TRUE
2. FALSE

Answer: b) FALSE

Explanation: Moving of soil particles to other places does not take place in weathering. This process is known as soil erosion.

6. Which factor affects weathering?

1. Climate
2. Composition of rock
3. The texture of the rock
4. All the above options

Answer: d) All the above options

7. Which of the following causes biological weathering?

1. Ice
2. Water
3. Fungi
4. Heat

Answer: c) Fungi

Explanation: Fungi release chemical substances that are capable of breaking down rock minerals.

8. The materials left over after the rock breaks down to combine with organic material to create _____

1. Wind
2. Soil
3. Air
4. Moisture

Answer: b) Soil

9. Identify the main part of the rock cycle.

1. Weathering
2. Monitoring
3. Erosion
4. Agriculture

Answer: a) Weathering

Explanation: From the given options, we can say that weathering is the main part of the rock cycle.

10. Choose YES or NO: Can weathering and erosion take place at the same time?

1. YES
2. NO

Answer: a) YES

Explanation: Weathering and erosion are different processes that can take place at the same time.

Practice Questions

1. Define weathering.
2. List the types of weathering.
3. Define soil erosion
4. What are the factors affecting weathering?
5. What is the difference between erosion and weathering?

Watch the video below to learn how soil is formed.

Watch the video below to know about types of rocks and rock formation in an interesting way.