Physical, chemical and biological weathering

Question 1

Which type of weathering is this: iron minerals in rock rust and crumble?

• A. physical (freeze–thaw, heating and cooling)
• B. chemical
• C. biological

Question 2

Which agent carries the largest rocks and boulders long distances?

• A. rain drops
• B. glaciers (moving ice)
• C. gentle wind
• D. sunlight

Question 3

Weathering and erosion: which statement is NOT true?

• A. Rivers erode their banks and carry sediment.
• B. Water shrinks when it freezes.
• C. Limestone caves form by chemical weathering.
• D. Plant roots can split rocks.

Question 4

Which type of weathering is this: iron minerals in rock rust and crumble?

• A. physical (freeze–thaw, heating and cooling)
• B. chemical
• C. biological

Question 5

What is the difference between weathering and erosion?

• A. Erosion only happens in deserts
• B. Weathering breaks rock down where it is; erosion carries the pieces away
• C. Weathering moves rocks to the sea
• D. They are exactly the same

Question 6

Weathering and erosion: which statement is NOT true?

• A. Limestone caves form by chemical weathering.
• B. Plant roots can split rocks.
• C. Rivers erode their banks and carry sediment.
• D. Water shrinks when it freezes.

Question 7

Which type of weathering is this: rainwater, a weak acid, slowly dissolves limestone to form caves?

• A. physical (freeze–thaw, heating and cooling)
• B. chemical
• C. biological

Question 8

In which climate is freeze–thaw weathering most common?

• A. where temperatures often go above and below 0 °C
• B. in a hot desert that never freezes
• C. in a tropical rainforest
• D. under the sea

Question 9

Weathering and erosion: which statement is NOT true?

• A. Erosion and weathering are the same process.
• B. Rivers erode their banks and carry sediment.
• C. Weathering helps turn rock into soil.
• D. Limestone caves form by chemical weathering.

Question 10

Which type of weathering is this: iron minerals in rock rust and crumble?

• A. physical (freeze–thaw, heating and cooling)
• B. chemical
• C. biological

Question 11

Old gravestones made of marble are often harder to read than those made of granite. Why?

• A. Marble is attacked by tree roots
• B. Granite is softer
• C. Granite dissolves in rain
• D. Marble (calcium carbonate) is chemically weathered by acidic rain

Question 12

Weathering and erosion: which statement is NOT true?

• A. Plant roots can split rocks.
• B. Water shrinks when it freezes.
• C. Weathering helps turn rock into soil.
• D. Limestone caves form by chemical weathering.

Question 13

Which type of weathering is this: desert rock heats by day and cools at night until its surface flakes off?

• A. physical (freeze–thaw, heating and cooling)
• B. chemical
• C. biological

Question 14

Old gravestones made of marble are often harder to read than those made of granite. Why?

• A. Granite dissolves in rain
• B. Marble (calcium carbonate) is chemically weathered by acidic rain
• C. Granite is softer
• D. Marble is attacked by tree roots

Question 15

Weathering and erosion: which statement is NOT true?

• A. Rivers erode their banks and carry sediment.
• B. Plant roots can split rocks.
• C. Water shrinks when it freezes.
• D. Limestone caves form by chemical weathering.

Question 16

Which type of weathering is this: lichens release acids onto bare rock?

• A. physical (freeze–thaw, heating and cooling)
• B. chemical
• C. biological