geol quiz 6

parent material, time, climate, plants and animals, topography

5 basic controls of soil formation

feldspar

During hydrolysis, ________ commonly decompose into clay minerals, silica, and soluble constituents.

feldspars

During hydrolysis, ions and clay minerals are produced by the decomposition of which of the following Earth materials?

Peridotite, Gabbro, Diorite, Granite

Rank the rocks from fastest weathering to slowest weathering. [diorite, peridotite, granite, gabbro]

quartz is extremely resistant to all forms of chemical weathering

Sand dunes are typically dominated by quartz grains and very little other mineral matter. Why does this selection occur?

C

The ____-horizon is very similar to the parent material.

biological activity

The break down of rock by moving fresh materials to the surface by burrowing animals is an example of mechanical weathering due to ___.

calcite

The chemical weathering process known as dissolution is most effective in the breakdown of which of the following minerals?

pyroxenes

The chemical weathering process known as oxidation would be most effective in the breakdown of which of the following Earth materials?

sheeting; frost wedging

The fissures formed as a result of ___ in exfoliation domes can be further enlarged by ___ in areas subjected to seasonal freeze-thaw cycles.

warm and wet

Which of the following climates will have the highest rate of weathering?

honolulu, hawaii

Which of the following locations will weather a block of marble the most quickly?

they are heavily leached

Why do rainforest soils lack nutrients?

salt crystal growth

___ can contribute to crumbling roadways in areas where salt is spread to melt ice and snow in winter.

climate

___ has a crucial influence on the rates of all types of mechanical weathering.

the formation of minerals in rock cracks during the evaporation of salty water, forcing rock apart

what is salt weathering?

Mechanical processes break substances into smaller pieces.

what is the definition of physical weathering?

the surface area of the rock is increased, which allows a greater amount of chemical weathering to occur.

when a rock is mechanically weathered, ___.

differential weathering

when various geologic materials exposed to the same environmental conditions will weather differently depending on their composition.

heat

which of the following is NOT an agent or erosion?

biotite, olivine, and pyrite

which three minerals are especially susceptible to oxidation?

dissolution

which type of chemical weathering is very efficient at weathering limestone?

water expands when frozen and physically forces the rock apart

why does water frozen in the cracks of a rock help to break down the rock?

climate

Of the five basic controls of soil formation, which factor is the most influential in soil formation?

water

What is the most important agent of chemical weathering?

Areas with high temperatures and abundant moisture will generally have the highest rates of chemical weathering.

how does climate influence the weathering of rock?

that they are the same

what about weathering and erosion is NOT true?

mechanical and chemical

what are the two basic categories of weathering?

both require rain and force rocks apart physically

what do freeze-thaw and salt weathering have in common?

salt crystal growth within rock fractures

what is not weathered by biological activity?