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
...
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? Rock B
2. Why do you think so?
It looks rounder because of the weathering
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? The rock has gotten smaller
, 2. Click Fastplay ( ). Wait for about 50,000 simulated years. What do you notice? The
rock is getting smaller every 100 years
3. Based on your observations, is weathering a fast or slow process?
Slow process
Activity A: Get the Gizmo ready:
Types of ● Select the ANIMATION tab. Check that Frost
weathering 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? The more water the cracks get, the more ice there is in between the
rocks
B. Is frost wedging more important in a warm or a cold climate?
Cold Climate
2. Observe: Read about and look at the animations for the other major types of weathering:
Abrasion, Pressure release, D
issolving, Clay formation, and Rusting.
A. What are three different ways that rocks can be worn down by abrasion?
wind carrying sand wears away rocks, a glacier moving down a mountain, and rivers
carrying sediments.
B. How can a large block of granite form layers like an onion?
Its caused by the expansion of the surface layers
C. What type of rock is affected by dissolving, and what features result?
Limestone and it can lead to underground rivers, caves, sinkholes, and oddly shaped
mountains.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller PossibleA. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $8.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
