GIZMO Copy of Weathering Sheet with Answers

Exam (elaborations) GIZMO Copy of Weathering Sheet with Answers 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. 1. Which rock do you think has been exposed on Earth’s surface longer? B 2. 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. 1. Click Play ( ). Wait for about 5,000 simulated years, and click Pause ( ). What do you notice? Very little 2. Click Fastplay ( ). Wait for about 50,000 simulated years. What do you notice? Very little 3. Based on your observations, is weathering a fast or slow process? Slow This study source was downloaded by from CourseH on :23:27 GMT -05:00 This study resource was shared via CourseH GIZMO Copy of Weathering Sheet with Answers 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? 1. 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 2. 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 (CO2). This forms underground caves, streams, and can lead to sinkholes D. How does clay formation affect a rock? C