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Quizzes > Science > Earth & Space Science

Weathering Quiz: How Well Do You Know Earth's Erosion?

Think you can ace this weathering quick check? Let's dive in!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for weathering quiz on sky blue background

Geology buffs and curious learners, test your geoscience smarts with our free weathering quiz ! Dive into a swift weathering quick check that covers mechanical breakdown, erosion rates, and chemical weathering in rock formations. See how well you can identify signs of freeze-thaw and abrasion processes while reinforcing core concepts in just minutes. You'll tackle focused weathering questions designed to sharpen your knowledge of rock-cycle dynamics and answer challenging weathering quiz questions to see how deep your understanding goes. Whether you're prepping for class or simply love Earth's processes, this fun quiz invites you to challenge yourself and learn something new. Ready to take the next step? Click in and get started now!

Which process involves the physical breakdown of rocks without changing their chemical composition?
Erosion
Mechanical weathering
Biological weathering
Chemical weathering
Mechanical weathering refers to the disintegration of rocks into smaller pieces without altering their chemical composition. Processes like frost wedging and abrasion are examples of mechanical weathering. This distinguishes it from chemical weathering, which changes mineral structures. Learn more
What type of mechanical weathering is caused by the expansion of water as it freezes in cracks?
Exfoliation
Frost wedging
Oxidation
Abrasion
Frost wedging occurs when water enters cracks, freezes, and expands by about 9%, exerting pressure that fractures the rock. Over repeated freeze-thaw cycles, these cracks widen and rock fragments break off. This is a common process in climates with daily temperature fluctuations around freezing. USGS explanation
Which of the following is an example of chemical weathering?
Frost wedging
Thermal expansion
Oxidation of iron
Root wedging
Oxidation of iron-bearing minerals causes the formation of iron oxides, such as rust, altering the mineral's chemical composition. This process is a classic example of chemical weathering. Physical processes like frost wedging or thermal expansion do not alter chemical structures. Learn more
Root wedging is best classified as which type of weathering?
Biological weathering
Chemical weathering
Mechanical weathering
Erosion
Root wedging is a form of biological weathering where plant roots grow into rock fractures, exerting pressure that breaks the rock apart. While the action is mechanical, it is driven by biological activity. Erosion refers to the removal of particles rather than in-place breakdown. USDA overview
Abrasion in weathering refers to:
Scraping and smoothing of rock surfaces by friction
Expansion of water on freezing
Chemical reaction with acids
Plant roots breaking rocks
Abrasion occurs when particles or rock fragments carried by wind, water, or ice scrape against each other or against bedrock, smoothing and wearing down surfaces. This physical process is a key form of mechanical weathering. It differs from chemical weathering and processes like frost wedging or biological weathering. Geological Society
What is the primary product of hydrolysis of feldspar during chemical weathering?
Gypsum
Clay minerals
Limonite
Quartz
Hydrolysis of feldspar converts it into clay minerals, such as kaolinite, by reacting with water and acids. The process releases soluble silica and cations like potassium or sodium. Quartz and other minerals remain more resistant under similar conditions. UWGB notes
Which acid commonly formed from carbon dioxide dissolving in water accelerates chemical weathering?
Hydrochloric acid
Carbonic acid
Sulfuric acid
Nitric acid
Carbonic acid forms when CO2 dissolves in water, producing a weak acid that attacks minerals, particularly carbonates and silicates. It is a major agent in chemical weathering, especially in forming karst landscapes. Stronger acids may play roles but are less prevalent in natural systems. SERC resource
Which term describes the process of transporting weathered particles by wind, water, or ice?
Deposition
Weathering
Lithification
Erosion
Erosion involves the movement of weathered rock and soil particles from one location to another by wind, water, or ice. Weathering is the breakdown of rocks, deposition is the settling of particles, and lithification is the compaction and cementation into sedimentary rock. USGS explanation
Spheroidal weathering typically results in:
Development of rounded boulders with concentric shells
Creation of vertical cliffs
Formation of deep caves
Formation of sharp, angular rock edges
Spheroidal weathering occurs when water penetrates rock joints and weathers the edges and corners faster, rounding off angular rocks and creating concentric weathering shells. This gives boulders a spherical shape. It is common in homogeneous, jointed rocks like granite. Wikipedia article
Exfoliation domes, such as those found in Yosemite, are primarily produced by which process?
Organic acid attack
Pressure release and sheet jointing
Chemical dissolution of minerals
Freeze-thaw cycles
Exfoliation domes form when overlying rock is removed, reducing pressure (unloading) on intrusive bodies like granite. This pressure release causes the rock to expand and fracture parallel to the surface in sheet-like layers. Chemical dissolution and freeze-thaw play lesser roles in dome formation. USGS page
Carbonation in chemical weathering is most effective on which rock type?
Granite
Shale
Limestone
Basalt
Carbonation involves carbonic acid reacting with minerals. Limestone, composed largely of calcium carbonate, readily dissolves in carbonic acid, creating features like sinkholes and caves. Silicate rocks like granite and basalt are much less susceptible to carbonation. Britannica
Differential weathering occurs because different rocks vary in their:
Mineral composition and hardness
Gravitational pull
Distance from the equator
Magnetic properties
Differential weathering happens when rocks of differing mineral compositions or hardnesses weather at different rates, leading to uneven landscapes. Softer or more chemically unstable minerals break down faster, leaving more resistant rock as ridges or knobs. Climate and biological factors influence rates but composition is primary. Reference
Which soil horizon is richest in organic material?
B horizon (subsoil)
C horizon (parent material)
O horizon (organic layer)
A horizon (topsoil)
The O horizon is the topmost layer of soil, composed mainly of organic matter such as decomposed leaves and plant material. It is most abundant in forested ecosystems. Below it, the A horizon contains mixed organic and mineral material, while the B and C horizons are deeper with less organic content. USDA soil horizons
Haloclasty, a form of mechanical weathering, is driven by:
Freeze-thaw cycles
Wind abrasion
Acidic rainwater
Salt crystal growth
Haloclasty occurs when saline water enters rock pores, evaporates, and leaves salt crystals behind. These crystals grow and exert pressure on the rock pore walls, leading to mechanical breakdown. It is common in arid and coastal environments. Britannica
Which factor does NOT significantly influence the rate of weathering?
Time of exposure
Rock mineralogy
Temperature and precipitation
Slope angle
While slope angle affects erosion and mass wasting, weathering rates are controlled more by rock mineralogy, climate variables like temperature and precipitation, and exposure time. A steep slope might remove material faster but does not directly alter chemical or physical weathering rates. More info
Organic acids from decaying plant matter enhance which type of weathering?
Chemical weathering
Mechanical weathering
Physical weathering
Erosion
Organic acids produced by decaying vegetation (e.g., humic and fulvic acids) increase the acidity of soil water, accelerating chemical weathering of minerals. They are particularly important in soil profiles where plant matter accumulates. Mechanical weathering and erosion are physical processes not directly driven by acids. Journal of Environmental Quality
Karst landscapes featuring sinkholes and caves most commonly develop in regions underlain by:
Limestone
Basalt
Granite
Sandstone
Karst topography forms where soluble rocks like limestone dissolve in acidic water, creating sinkholes, underground drainage, and cave systems. Sandstone and granite are far less susceptible to solution weathering. Basalt weathers by different processes such as hydrolysis and oxidation. Geology.com overview
In arid desert climates, which weathering process dominates the breakdown of rocks?
Thermal expansion
Biological weathering
Freeze-thaw cycles
Chemical hydrolysis
In hot desert regions, large diurnal temperature swings cause rock surfaces to expand and contract, leading to granular disintegration and the formation of fractures. This process, known as thermal expansion or thermal stress weathering, is dominant where moisture is scarce. Chemical hydrolysis and freeze-thaw are less effective under arid conditions. Study on thermal stress
Of the following minerals, which weathers most rapidly under typical surface conditions?
Feldspar
Mica
Olivine
Quartz
Olivine is one of the most easily altered minerals and weathers quickly through oxidation and hydrolysis. Feldspar weathers more moderately, while mica and quartz are more resistant, with quartz being the most stable at Earth's surface. USGS resource
The oxidation of iron-bearing minerals in rock typically produces:
Calcium carbonate
Silica gel
Iron oxides like hematite (rust)
Clay minerals
Oxidation, often called rusting, combines iron in minerals with oxygen to form iron oxides such as hematite and limonite. This process weakens rock structure and imparts red or yellow coloration. Clay formation and carbonate minerals result from different weathering processes. Britannica on oxidation
The role of time in weathering implies that a rock subjected to surface conditions for a longer duration will generally:
Show more advanced weathering features
Resist all chemical reactions
Increase in hardness
Become more crystalline
Given more time, weathering processes such as chemical alteration and physical disintegration progressively break down rock, leading to more pronounced weathering features like deeper fractures and greater mineral alteration. Fresh rock surfaces weather less, while older exposures show advanced stages. Hardness and crystallinity generally decrease with extensive weathering. Nature Education
Which chemical weathering process specifically involves reaction with hydrogen ions (H+) derived from acids?
Oxidation
Hydrolysis
Exfoliation
Dissolution
Hydrolysis is the reaction of minerals with hydrogen ions, typically from carbonic or organic acids, causing minerals like feldspar to break down into clay and soluble ions. Dissolution involves complete mineral solubility, while oxidation involves oxygen. Exfoliation is a physical process. Carleton College
In cold climates, frost heave contributes to weathering by lifting and fracturing soil and rock. It is most effective when temperatures:
Remain well below freezing (< -10°C)
Are consistently around 5°C
Vary just above and below freezing (~0°C)
Remain well above freezing (> 20°C)
Frost heave occurs when water in soil pores freezes and expands, exerting upward pressure. This process is most effective with diurnal temperature fluctuations just around the freezing point, allowing repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Consistently below or above freezing limits the cycle frequency. Research article
Which balanced chemical equation represents the hydrolysis of potassium feldspar (KAlSi3O8) by carbonic acid to form kaolinite (Al2Si2O5(OH)4) and dissolved silica?
2KAlSi3O8 + 11H2O ? 2Al2Si2O5(OH)4 + 2K+ + 4H4SiO4
2KAlSi3O8 + 2H2CO3 + 9H2O ? Al2Si2O5(OH)4 + 4H4SiO4 + 2K+ + 2HCO3-
2KAlSi3O8 + 2CO2 ? 2Al2Si2O5(OH)4 + K2CO3
KAlSi3O8 + H2O ? Al2Si2O5(OH)4 + K+ + SiO2
The balanced reaction for feldspar hydrolysis by carbonic acid is: 2KAlSi3O8 + 2H2CO3 + 9H2O ? Al2Si2O5(OH)4 + 4H4SiO4 + 2K+ + 2HCO3-. This shows carbonic acid reacting with feldspar to produce kaolinite, dissolved silica, potassium ions, and bicarbonate. Alternate equations are either stoichiometrically incorrect or omit critical reactants/products. ResearchGate source
Laterite soils are characteristic of intense tropical weathering. Which description best fits their chemical composition?
Dominated by unaltered feldspar and quartz
High in gypsum and halite deposits
Rich in calcium carbonate
High in iron and aluminum oxides with leached silica
Laterite forms in tropical climates with heavy rainfall, where intense leaching removes silica and bases, concentrating iron and aluminum oxides. These soils are low in primary silicate minerals. Calcium carbonates and evaporites like gypsum or halite are not typical in such environments. Britannica on laterite
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Key Weathering Processes -

    Grasp the differences between physical, chemical, and biological weathering and how each contributes to rock breakdown.

  2. Differentiate Weathering from Erosion -

    Recognize how weathering alters rock at its location while erosion transports the resulting particles elsewhere.

  3. Identify Influencing Factors -

    Pinpoint environmental conditions like temperature, moisture, and biological activity that accelerate or inhibit weathering.

  4. Analyze Surface Change Scenarios -

    Apply your knowledge to quiz questions that illustrate real-world examples of soil and rock transformation.

  5. Evaluate Climatic Impacts -

    Assess how different climate zones affect the rate and dominant type of weathering processes.

  6. Apply Concepts to Field Observations -

    Use quiz insights to interpret weathering features you might encounter in outdoor settings or lab samples.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Chemical vs. Mechanical Weathering -

    Chemical weathering alters rock composition through reactions like carbonation (CO₂ + H₂O → H₂CO₃) that dissolves calcite in limestone. Mechanical weathering physically breaks rocks via processes such as frost wedging or thermal expansion. Remember the mnemonic "COLD" (Chemistry, Oxidation, Limestone, Dissolution) to recall key chemical pathways.

  2. Factors Controlling Weathering Rates -

    Climate, surface area, rock composition, relief, and time jointly influence weathering intensity - warm, wet climates accelerate chemical breakdown. Use "CARTS" (Climate, Area, Rock type, Time, Slope) as a handy checklist when tackling weathering questions. University studies show that higher surface area from fracturing increases reaction rates proportionally.

  3. Arrhenius Equation for Weathering Kinetics -

    The rate constant k = A·e^(−Ea/RT) describes how temperature (T) and activation energy (Ea) control chemical weathering speed. This formula, standard in geochemistry research, helps predict mineral dissolution under different climates. Practicing problems with this equation sharpens understanding for any weathering quiz question on reaction kinetics.

  4. Mechanical Breakdown Processes -

    Freeze-thaw cycles, salt crystallization, root wedging, and thermal expansion are key mechanical weathering agents that fracture rocks on the surface. For quick recall, think "FSTR" (Freeze, Salt, Tree roots, Rocks thermal stress). Geological surveys (USGS) highlight freeze-thaw as the dominant process in mid-latitude regions.

  5. Soil Horizons and Pedogenesis -

    Weathering creates distinct soil layers (O, A, E, B, C horizons) in a process called pedogenesis, crucial for ecosystem development and landscape evolution. The "OAEBC" sequence helps you remember horizon order from organic-rich topsoil to parent material. Many weathering quiz questions focus on identifying these horizons and their properties.

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