Activity 9.1 - Weathering, Erosion & Deposition I. Read the following paragraphs, and complete the exercises below. A. Weathering, the process in which rocks on Earth's surface are changed in form or composition-is the result of physical or chemical processes. Movements of water, ice, and wind are common causes of physical weathering. Carbonic acid and acid rain are two causes of chemical weathering. Living organisms also can cause weathering. For example, plant roots can grow into cracks and slowly break apart rocks. Some mosses and lichens that grow on rocks even produce acids that can dissolve the rock surface. Some animals, including ground squirrels and prairie dogs, uncover buried rock surfaces through digging. These surfaces then become exposed to other forms of weathering. The effects of plants and animals on rock surfaces may seem small compared with the effects of winds, glaciers, acid rains, and other such processes. But over long periods of time, weathering effects from plants- and animals can be significant. 1. How do digging animals contribute to the weathering rocks? 2. Describe two ways that plants can cause the weathering of rocks. B. Chemical weathering can form large underground caves. Carbon dioxide from the air dissolves in rainwate creating carbonic acid. When the rainwater seeps into the ground, carbonic acid reacts with calcite in limesto- rock layers to form calcium bicarbonate. Unlike calcite, calcium bicarbonate can dissolve in water. It is slow carried away by water flowing underground. The places that the calcite once filled are left behind as cav Precipitation, such as rain, sleet, and snow, is naturally slightly acidic because it contains carbonic acid. 3. Explain how underground limestone caves form. 4. Describe how rainwater can be an agent of chemical weathering. 5. Explain how humans can cause erosion.

Applications and Investigations in Earth Science (9th Edition)
9th Edition
ISBN:9780134746241
Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Chapter1: The Study Of Minerals
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WEATHERING OF ROCKS
Activity 9.1 - Weathering, Erosion & Deposition
1. Read the following paragraphs, and complete the exercises below.
A. Weathering, the process in which rocks on Earth's surface are changed in form or composition-is the result
of physical or chemical processes. Movements of water, ice, and wind are common causes of physical weathering.
Carbonic acid and acid rain are two causes of chemical weathering. Living organisms also can cause weathering.
For example, plant roots can grow into cracks and slowly break apart rocks. Some mosses and lichens that grow
on rocks even produce acids that can dissolve the rock surface. Some animals, including ground squirrels and
prairie dogs, uncover buried rock surfaces through digging. These surfaces then become exposed to other forms
of weathering. The effects of plants and animals on rock surfaces may seem small compared with the effects of
winds, glaciers, acid rains, and other such processes. But over long periods of time, weathering effects from plants
and animals can be significant.
1. How do digging animals contribute to the weathering of rocks?
2. Describe two ways that plants can cause the weathering of rocks.
B. Chemical weathering can form large underground caves. Carbon dioxide from the air dissolves in rainwater,
creating carbonic acid. When the rainwater seeps into the ground, carbonic acid reacts with calcite in limestone
rock layers to form calcium bicarbonate. Unlike calcite, calcium bicarbonate can dissolve in water. It is slowly
carried away by water flowing underground. The places that the calcite once filled are left behind as caves.
Precipitation, such as rain, sleet, and snow, is naturally slightly acidic because it contains carbonic acid.
3. Explain how underground limestone caves form.
4. Describe how rainwater can be an agent of chemical weathering.
5. Explain how humans can cause erosion.
Transcribed Image Text:WEATHERING OF ROCKS Activity 9.1 - Weathering, Erosion & Deposition 1. Read the following paragraphs, and complete the exercises below. A. Weathering, the process in which rocks on Earth's surface are changed in form or composition-is the result of physical or chemical processes. Movements of water, ice, and wind are common causes of physical weathering. Carbonic acid and acid rain are two causes of chemical weathering. Living organisms also can cause weathering. For example, plant roots can grow into cracks and slowly break apart rocks. Some mosses and lichens that grow on rocks even produce acids that can dissolve the rock surface. Some animals, including ground squirrels and prairie dogs, uncover buried rock surfaces through digging. These surfaces then become exposed to other forms of weathering. The effects of plants and animals on rock surfaces may seem small compared with the effects of winds, glaciers, acid rains, and other such processes. But over long periods of time, weathering effects from plants and animals can be significant. 1. How do digging animals contribute to the weathering of rocks? 2. Describe two ways that plants can cause the weathering of rocks. B. Chemical weathering can form large underground caves. Carbon dioxide from the air dissolves in rainwater, creating carbonic acid. When the rainwater seeps into the ground, carbonic acid reacts with calcite in limestone rock layers to form calcium bicarbonate. Unlike calcite, calcium bicarbonate can dissolve in water. It is slowly carried away by water flowing underground. The places that the calcite once filled are left behind as caves. Precipitation, such as rain, sleet, and snow, is naturally slightly acidic because it contains carbonic acid. 3. Explain how underground limestone caves form. 4. Describe how rainwater can be an agent of chemical weathering. 5. Explain how humans can cause erosion.
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