Question 1

Living organisms influence the rate at which chemical weathering takes place primarily by:

Accepted Answer

A)  grinding rocks and minerals into smaller pieces. 
B)  increasing the exposure of rocks and minerals to weathering agents. 
C)  secreting acid that dissolves rocks and minerals. 
D)  ingesting the minerals that are necessary for nutrition. 
A)  grinding rocks and minerals into smaller pieces. 
B)  increasing the exposure of rocks and minerals to weathering agents. 
C)  secreting acid that dissolves rocks and minerals. 
D)  ingesting the minerals that are necessary for nutrition.

Question 2

The type of clay developed from the chemical weathering of a given rock depends primarily on:

Accepted Answer

A)  the rate and environment of deposition of the weathered clay minerals. 
B)  the relative percentage of feldspar within the parent rock. 
C)  the rate at which the rock was weathered. 
D)  the climatic conditions under which the chemical weathering took place. 
A)  the rate and environment of deposition of the weathered clay minerals. 
B)  the relative percentage of feldspar within the parent rock. 
C)  the rate at which the rock was weathered. 
D)  the climatic conditions under which the chemical weathering took place.

Question 3

Which of the following statements about weathering and erosion is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Weathering and erosion are predominately detrimental to humanity. 
B)  Without weathering and erosion we would have no soil. 
C)  Weathering and erosion can deteriorate buildings and statues. 
D)  Products of erosion can be found in both our food and water. 
A)  Weathering and erosion are predominately detrimental to humanity. 
B)  Without weathering and erosion we would have no soil. 
C)  Weathering and erosion can deteriorate buildings and statues. 
D)  Products of erosion can be found in both our food and water.

Question 4

A mineral's stability, or resistance to chemical change, is primarily a result of:

Accepted Answer

A)  the amount of silica within the mineral. 
B)  the mineral's hardness. 
C)  the strength of a mineral's chemical bonds. 
D)  the color and streak of a mineral. 
A)  the amount of silica within the mineral. 
B)  the mineral's hardness. 
C)  the strength of a mineral's chemical bonds. 
D)  the color and streak of a mineral.

Question 5

Which of the following formulas presents an example of oxidation?

Accepted Answer

A)  4 Fe+2 + 3 O2 2 Fe2O3 
B) H2O + CO2 H2CO3 
C) CaCO3 + H2CO3 Ca+2 + 2 HCO3- 
D) 2 KAlSi3O8 + 2 H+ + 9 H2O Al2Si2O5(OH)4 + 4 H4SiO4 + 2 K+2 
A)  4 Fe+2 + 3 O2 2 Fe2O3 
B) H2O + CO2 H2CO3 
C) CaCO3 + H2CO3 Ca+2 + 2 HCO3- 
D) 2 KAlSi3O8 + 2 H+ + 9 H2O Al2Si2O5(OH)4 + 4 H4SiO4 + 2 K+2

Question 6

In which of the following locations would a rich soil accumulate most quickly?

Accepted Answer

A)  A steep topography in a moist, mid- latitude climate. 
B)  A steep topography in a dry, cold climate. 
C)  A relatively flat topography in a moist, mid- latitude climate. 
D)  A relatively flat topography in a dry, warm climate. 
A)  A steep topography in a moist, mid- latitude climate. 
B)  A steep topography in a dry, cold climate. 
C)  A relatively flat topography in a moist, mid- latitude climate. 
D)  A relatively flat topography in a dry, warm climate.

Question 7

The primary cause of mechanical exfoliation is:

Accepted Answer

A)  the removal of shrubs, grasses, and other plants from the rock's surface. 
B)  the thermal expansion of water contained within fractures in the rock. 
C)  the removal by erosion of overlying rock and soil. 
D)  abrasion by rock particles contained in streams, wind, or glaciers. 
A)  the removal of shrubs, grasses, and other plants from the rock's surface. 
B)  the thermal expansion of water contained within fractures in the rock. 
C)  the removal by erosion of overlying rock and soil. 
D)  abrasion by rock particles contained in streams, wind, or glaciers.

Question 8

In general, chemical weathering would occur most rapidly in a:

Accepted Answer

A)  cool, dry climate. 
B)  warm, dry climate. 
C)  warm, moist climate. 
D)  cool, moist climate. 
A)  cool, dry climate. 
B)  warm, dry climate. 
C)  warm, moist climate. 
D)  cool, moist climate.

Question 9

Weathering by thermal expansion and contraction involves all of the following factors EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  the thermal expansion of air within fractures in rocks enlarges the openings. 
B)  the outside of a large rock experiences more temperature fluctuations than the inside of the rock. 
C)  the addition of water to the surface of the rock influences the rate of mechanical weathering. 
D)  different kinds of minerals within a rock expand at different rates when heated. 
A)  the thermal expansion of air within fractures in rocks enlarges the openings. 
B)  the outside of a large rock experiences more temperature fluctuations than the inside of the rock. 
C)  the addition of water to the surface of the rock influences the rate of mechanical weathering. 
D)  different kinds of minerals within a rock expand at different rates when heated.

Question 10

Rocks that are carried along at the base of a glacier scrape against underlying rocks. This form of mechanical weathering is called:

Accepted Answer

A)  dissolution. 
B)  expansion. 
C)  abrasion. 
D)  exfoliation. 
A)  dissolution. 
B)  expansion. 
C)  abrasion. 
D)  exfoliation.

Question 11

In what ways is the process of weathering detrimental to humanity? In what ways is it beneficial?

Accepted Answer

Weathering can destroy monumen

Question 12

All of the following practices help to conserve soil EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  no- tillage farming. 
B)  strip cropping. 
C)  terracing. 
D)  plowing fields. 
A)  no- tillage farming. 
B)  strip cropping. 
C)  terracing. 
D)  plowing fields.

Question 13

Explain how parent material, climate, topography, vegetation, and time influence soil formation.

Accepted Answer

Parent material that is nonresistant to

Question 14

Which of the following statements about the rounding of boulders by chemical weathering is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Chemical exfoliation, the weathering of rocks in concentric layers, occurs because chemical weathering attacks the outside of the rock before attacking the inside. 
B)  Rounding occurs because rock edges and corners offer more surface area than its planar faces. 
C)  The rounding of angular rocks by chemical weathering is termed spheroidal weathering. 
D)  Rounding occurs because the portions of a rock on the edges and corners are less stable than portions in the interior of the rock. 
A)  Chemical exfoliation, the weathering of rocks in concentric layers, occurs because chemical weathering attacks the outside of the rock before attacking the inside. 
B)  Rounding occurs because rock edges and corners offer more surface area than its planar faces. 
C)  The rounding of angular rocks by chemical weathering is termed spheroidal weathering. 
D)  Rounding occurs because the portions of a rock on the edges and corners are less stable than portions in the interior of the rock.

Question 15

What is the primary difference between weathering and erosion?

Accepted Answer

A)  Weathering and erosion are synonymous and may be used interchangeably. 
B)  Weathering is the breakdown of rocks by mechanical means; erosion occurs by chemical means. 
C)  Weathering is the breaking down of minerals; erosion is the breaking down of rocks. 
D)  Weathering is the breaking down of rocks; erosion is the transporting of rock fragments. 
A)  Weathering and erosion are synonymous and may be used interchangeably. 
B)  Weathering is the breakdown of rocks by mechanical means; erosion occurs by chemical means. 
C)  Weathering is the breaking down of minerals; erosion is the breaking down of rocks. 
D)  Weathering is the breaking down of rocks; erosion is the transporting of rock fragments.

Question 16

Explain how levels of carbon dioxide may be related to global chemical weathering.

Accepted Answer

The Earth's crust is composed mostly of

Question 17

Why are paleosols not considered one of the soil orders in the classification of soils?

Accepted Answer

Paleosols are soils that formed in ancie

Question 18

Acid rain has a pH value of approximately:

Accepted Answer

A)  5.5. 
B)  7. 
C)  less than 5. 
D)  1- 2. 
A)  5.5. 
B)  7. 
C)  less than 5. 
D)  1- 2.

Question 19

Which of the following statements about soil horizons is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  The A horizon consists of a mixture of inorganic minerals and decayed organic matter. 
B)  The B horizon is a zone of illuviation that contains soluble materials derived from overlying horizons. 
C)  The C horizon consists mostly of rock chunks that differ little from the underlying bedrock. 
D)  The color of the E horizon results from humus that has leached downward from the A horizon. 
A)  The A horizon consists of a mixture of inorganic minerals and decayed organic matter. 
B)  The B horizon is a zone of illuviation that contains soluble materials derived from overlying horizons. 
C)  The C horizon consists mostly of rock chunks that differ little from the underlying bedrock. 
D)  The color of the E horizon results from humus that has leached downward from the A horizon.

Question 20

Nutrient- poor soils are derived from a parent material that resists chemical weathering, such as:

Accepted Answer

A)  limestone. 
B)  sandstone. 
C)  basalt. 
D)  granite. 
A)  limestone. 
B)  sandstone. 
C)  basalt. 
D)  granite.

Living organisms influence the rate at which chemical weathering takes place primarily by:

The type of clay developed from the chemical weathering of a given rock depends primarily on:

Which of the following statements about weathering and erosion is NOT true?

A mineral's stability, or resistance to chemical change, is primarily a result of:

Which of the following formulas presents an example of oxidation?

In which of the following locations would a rich soil accumulate most quickly?

The primary cause of mechanical exfoliation is:

In general, chemical weathering would occur most rapidly in a:

Weathering by thermal expansion and contraction involves all of the following factors EXCEPT:

Rocks that are carried along at the base of a glacier scrape against underlying rocks. This form of mechanical weathering is called:

In what ways is the process of weathering detrimental to humanity? In what ways is it beneficial?

All of the following practices help to conserve soil EXCEPT:

Explain how parent material, climate, topography, vegetation, and time influence soil formation.

Which of the following statements about the rounding of boulders by chemical weathering is NOT true?

What is the primary difference between weathering and erosion?

Explain how levels of carbon dioxide may be related to global chemical weathering.

Why are paleosols not considered one of the soil orders in the classification of soils?

Acid rain has a pH value of approximately:

Which of the following statements about soil horizons is NOT true?

Nutrient- poor soils are derived from a parent material that resists chemical weathering, such as:

A First Look at Planet Earth - Its Origins, Systems, and Tectonic Plates

Minerals

Igneous Rocks and Processes

Volcanoes and Volcanism

Sedimentary Processes, Environments, and Rocks

Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks

Telling Time Geologically

Earth Structures - Folds, Faults, and Fabrics

Earthquakes

The Earths Interior - Whats Going on Down There

Plate Tectonics and the Formation of the Earths Oceans

Continental Tectonics and the Formation of the Earths Continents

Mass Movement

Streams and Floods

Groundwater

Glaciers and Ice Ages

Deserts and the Work of Winds

Shores and Coastal Processes

Human Use of the Earths Resources Appendices Glossary

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Exam 5: Weathering - the Breakdown of Rocks

Living organisms influence the rate at which chemical weathering takes place primarily by:

The type of clay developed from the chemical weathering of a given rock depends primarily on:

Which of the following statements about weathering and erosion is NOT true?

A mineral's stability, or resistance to chemical change, is primarily a result of:

Which of the following formulas presents an example of oxidation?

In which of the following locations would a rich soil accumulate most quickly?

The primary cause of mechanical exfoliation is:

In general, chemical weathering would occur most rapidly in a:

Weathering by thermal expansion and contraction involves all of the following factors EXCEPT:

Rocks that are carried along at the base of a glacier scrape against underlying rocks. This form of mechanical weathering is called:

In what ways is the process of weathering detrimental to humanity? In what ways is it beneficial?

All of the following practices help to conserve soil EXCEPT:

Explain how parent material, climate, topography, vegetation, and time influence soil formation.

Which of the following statements about the rounding of boulders by chemical weathering is NOT true?

What is the primary difference between weathering and erosion?

Explain how levels of carbon dioxide may be related to global chemical weathering.

Why are paleosols not considered one of the soil orders in the classification of soils?

Acid rain has a pH value of approximately:

Which of the following statements about soil horizons is NOT true?

Nutrient- poor soils are derived from a parent material that resists chemical weathering, such as:

A First Look at Planet Earth - Its Origins, Systems, and Tectonic Plates

Minerals

Igneous Rocks and Processes

Volcanoes and Volcanism

Sedimentary Processes, Environments, and Rocks

Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks

Telling Time Geologically

Earth Structures - Folds, Faults, and Fabrics

Earthquakes

The Earths Interior - Whats Going on Down There

Plate Tectonics and the Formation of the Earths Oceans

Continental Tectonics and the Formation of the Earths Continents

Mass Movement

Streams and Floods

Groundwater

Glaciers and Ice Ages

Deserts and the Work of Winds

Shores and Coastal Processes

Human Use of the Earths Resources Appendices Glossary

Filters