- Information
- AI Chat
Weathering gizmo sheet with answers
Introductory Biology (BIOLOGY 101)
Ohio State University
Recommended for you
Preview text
Name: Date:
Student Exploration: Weathering
Vocabulary: abrasion, chemical weathering, clay formation, climate, dissolving, frost wedging, granite, limestone, mechanical weathering, rusting, sandstone, shale, weathering
Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.) Compare the two pictures at right. Both pictures show the same kind of rock, granite.
- Which rock do you think has been exposed on Earth’s
surface longer? B
- Why do you think so? Rounded and worn edges, smooth
Gizmo Warm-up When rocks are exposed on Earth’s surface, they are gradually broken down into soil by the actions of rain, ice, wind, and living organisms. This process is called weathering. In the Weathering Gizmo™, you will explore how weathering takes place.
To begin, select the SIMULATION tab. Notice the selected Rock type is Granite, a hard, dense rock.
- Click Play ( ). Wait for about 5,000 simulated years, and click Pause ( ). What do you
notice? Very little
- Click Fastplay ( ). Wait for about 50,000 simulated years. What do you notice?
Very little
- Based on your observations, is weathering a fast or slow process? Slow
Activity A: Types of weathering
Get the Gizmo ready: Select the ANIMATION tab. Check that Frost wedging is selected.
Introduction: Mechanical weathering occurs when rocks are physically broken or worn down. Chemical weathering occurs when the minerals in the rock are changed by chemical reactions.
Question: What are the most common ways in which weathering occurs?
- Observe: Read the text about frost wedging, then click Play.
A. In the process of frost wedging, how does ice cause cracks in rocks to become
larger? When water freezes into ice it expands and cracks rock
B. Is frost wedging more important in a warm or a cold climate? Cold
- Observe: Read about and look at the animations for the other major forms of weathering: Abrasion, Pressure release, Dissolving, Clay formation, and Rusting.
A. What are three different ways that rocks can be worn down by abrasion? Sand carried by wind, sediment carried by water, small rocks and stone dragged by glaciers, or even the wearing of animals as they walk
B. How can a large block of granite form layers like an onion? When Granite is exposed at the surface, it is under much less pressure than where it was when it formed deep beneath the Earth. This pressure release allows the rock to expand, causing it to crack and flake off in layers, like an onion
C. What type of rock is affected by dissolving, and what features result? Limestone dissolves when rain mixes with Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ). This forms underground caves, streams, and can lead to sinkholes
D. How does clay formation affect a rock? Clay absorbs water and can expand when cold. The rock can crumble as it turns into clay from its reaction with water
E. Which part of a rock will undergo rusting? Iron in rocks Oxidizes (rusts)
- Fill in: Scientists use the terms “oxidation,” “carbonation,” “hydrolysis,” and “exfoliation” for different types of weathering. Fill in each blank with the appropriate term.
Pressure release: Exfoliation Dissolution: Carbonation
Clay formation: Hydrolysis Rusting: Oxidation
(Carbonation)
Weathering gizmo sheet with answers
Course: Introductory Biology (BIOLOGY 101)
University: Ohio State University
This is a preview
Access to all documents
Get Unlimited Downloads
Improve your grades
