Weathering, Erosion and Deposition " I can" - Scott Azar | Library

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Infiltration: The water cycle begins with infiltration, as precipitation, such as rain or snow, seeps into the ground through the soil and porous rocks. This process replenishes ______________________  and contributes to the formation of aquifers, which serve as underground reservoirs that store and supply water to wells, springs, and rivers.
Runoff: When precipitation falls on impermeable surfaces like pavement or compacted soil, it ___________  infiltrate, resulting in runoff. Runoff occurs when water flows over the ____________ , forming streams, rivers, and eventually reaching larger bodies of water like lakes and oceans. Runoff plays a crucial role in shaping the landscape, eroding soil, and creating intricate river systems.
Evaporation: Evaporation is the process by which water transforms from a __________________________________ , rising into the atmosphere. The Sun's heat provides the energy needed for water molecules to gain sufficient energy and escape from bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers, and the ocean. This conversion of liquid water to water vapor is an essential step in the water cycle.
Transpiration and Evapotranspiration: Transpiration is the process by which water vapor is released into the atmosphere from the leaves of ___________. The combined process of evaporation from the land and transpiration from plants is known as _______________________ , contributing to the water vapor content in the atmosphere.
Condensation: As water vapor rises into the atmosphere, it encounters cooler temperatures at higher altitudes. The cooling causes the water vapor to condense into tiny water droplets, forming clouds. These clouds are visible collections of water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the air, signifying the transition of water from a gaseous state back to a liquid state.
Precipitation: Precipitation occurs when condensed water droplets or ice crystals within clouds grow larger and become too heavy to remain suspended. They fall from the clouds to the Earth's surface as rain, snow, sleet, or hail. Precipitation replenishes water sources on the Earth's surface, continuing the water cycle's cycle.

Other Answer Choices:

surface

evapotranspiration

liquid state into water vapor

cannot

plants

groundwater

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Porosity and Permeability: Porosity refers to the measure of _________________  or pores in a material, such as soil or rock. These spaces can be filled with air or water. Permeability, on the other hand, refers to how easily water can flow through a material. Materials with high porosity have _________  empty spaces, while materials with high permeability allow water to pass through them more easily. Think of a sponge: it has high porosity and permeability, as it can hold water and let it flow through.
Impermeable Materials: Some materials, like compacted clay, have low porosity and are considered impermeable. This means they have very few or no empty spaces for water to pass through. When water encounters impermeable materials, it ___________  infiltrate into the ground but instead runs off the surface, leading to increased runoff rates.
Capillary Action: Capillary action refers to the ability of water to move _______  through narrow spaces, such as _________  spaces between soil particles or the small tubes in a plant's roots and stems. Capillary action is possible due to the cohesive and adhesive properties of water. Through capillary action, water can move ____________  gravity, allowing plants to draw water from the ground and creating a process of water retention within soil.
Infiltration and Runoff Rates: Infiltration refers to the process of water soaking into the ground. The rate of infiltration depends on the porosity and permeability of the material. Soils with high porosity and permeability, such as sandy soils, have a high infiltration rate, as they can quickly absorb water. In contrast, soils with low porosity and permeability, such as clayey soils, have a low infiltration rate, causing water to pool on the surface and increase runoff rates. 

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cannot

against

more

tiny

empty spaces

up

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Infiltration and runoff can be influenced by various factors, leading to changes in how water moves through the ground. For example, during a heavy rainstorm, the rate of infiltration may decrease as the soil becomes ______________  and unable to absorb water quickly. This can result in increased runoff, causing water to __________________________ . Similarly, when a grass field is paved, the ________________  surface _____________  water from infiltrating into the ground, leading to higher runoff rates. Additionally, when the ground freezes, the water in the soil turns into ________ , reducing the infiltration rate and increasing runoff as the frozen ground becomes impermeable. 

The shape and size of particles can undergo changes through the process of weathering. Weathering refers to the ______________  and alteration of rocks and minerals over time. As rocks are exposed to weathering agents like wind, water, and temperature changes, their particles can be physically broken down. As particles spend more time being weathered, their shapes become ____________ and their sizes become _____________ 

Weathering can occur through both chemical and physical processes. _____________  weathering involves the mechanical breakdown of rocks without changing their chemical composition. This can happen through processes like ___________________  where water seeps into cracks in rocks, freezes, and expands, causing the rock to break apart. 

_____________  weathering, on the other hand, involves the alteration of rocks through chemical reactions. For example, when rainwater combines with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, it forms a weak _________  called carbonic acid. This acid can dissolve minerals in rocks, leading to their breakdown and eventual transformation.  Acid rain that comes into contact with rocks containing the mineral ____________ , like the rock ______________________ , will dissolve and leave behind a large opening underground called a _________.

Other Answer Choices:

saturated

acid

prevents

breakdown

flow over the surface

Chemical

limestone

frost wedging,

cave

ice

calcite

smaller.

Physical

impermeable

rounder

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 Climate plays a crucial role in shaping landscapes and influencing the dominant type of weathering that occurs. Different climates have distinct characteristics, such as temperature, rainfall, and freeze-thaw cycles, that impact how rocks and landforms change over time. In wet and warm climates, chemical weathering tends to be more dominant. The combination of high temperatures and abundant rainfall promotes the breakdown of rocks through ______________________  reactions, causing minerals to _____________  and rock structures to weaken. On the other hand, in cold and dry climates, _____________  weathering takes center stage. The ________________  cycle, where water seeps into cracks in rocks, freezes, expands, and then thaws, exerts pressure on the rocks, leading to their fragmentation and breakdown.
Furthermore, the resistance of certain rock layers to weathering is influenced by their ________________  and physical properties. Some rocks, like igneous and metamorphic rocks, are generally _________  resistant to weathering due to their dense and durable nature. They are composed of minerals that are _________  susceptible to chemical reactions and have strong interlocking crystal structures, making them more ______________  to physical breakdown. In contrast, sedimentary rocks, which are formed from the accumulation of sediments, can vary in their resistance to weathering. Some sedimentary rocks, like sandstone and limestone, are relatively resistant due to their compacted and cemented nature. Others, like shale, can be more prone to weathering due to their layered structure and the presence of ___________  minerals. These variations in rock resistance contribute to the development of unique landforms, such as cliffs, mesas, and valleys, as different layers of rock erode at different rates.

Other Answer Choices:

dissolve

composition

chemical

freeze-thaw

more

less

resistant

softer

physical

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Match the word and the definition

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
Floodplain		a flat area of land adjacent to a river that is periodically flooded when water spills over the river's banks during times of heavy rainfall or snowmelt.
Delta		landforms formed at the mouths of rivers where they meet larger bodies of water, such as oceans or lakes. As rivers reach their destination, they slow down, losing energy and depositing sediment carried from upstream. Over time, this sediment accumulates and builds up, creating a fan-shaped landform with intricate channels and marshy areas.
V-Shaped river valley		As water flows downhill, it picks up sediment and gradually wears away the land, creating a channel. Over time, the repeated erosive forces of the river deepen and widen the channel, carving out a valley. The shape of the valley can be influenced by factors such as the type of rock, the gradient of the land, and the strength of the river's flow.

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Match the location within a meandering river to a process.

Draggable item		Corresponding Item
Inside of the meander		deposition
outside of the meander		erosion

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 When sediment, like sand and rocks, is deposited by water or wind, it can be ___________  in different ways. Horizontal sorting happens when sediments of different sizes settle out in separate layers. The larger and heavier particles, like pebbles, settle at the bottom, while the smaller and lighter particles, like sand or silt, settle on top. This creates distinct layers of different-sized sediment. On the other hand, vertical sorting occurs when sediments of the same size are deposited on top of one another. So, in vertical sorting, you would have a layer of just pebbles, then a layer of just sand, and so on. Both horizontal and vertical sorting help scientists learn about how sediments were deposited and understand the history of Earth's surface.

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sorted