Weathering and erosion
Answers are for parents and teachers.
1
Make a T-chart with the headings Mechanical and Chemical weathering. Write two causes under each.
Mechanical: ice, roots, wind and sand, rushing water. Chemical: oxygen (rust), water dissolving minerals, acids.
2
Look for a crack in a pavement or wall near your home. Is there a plant in it? Explain what the plant might do to the crack.
Answers differ. Roots can push the crack wider (mechanical weathering).
3
A stick of chalk is 10 cm. A friend shakes it into 5 equal pieces. How long is each piece? Is this mechanical or chemical weathering?
10 ÷ 5 = 2 cm each. Mechanical weathering.
4
Explain to someone at home the difference between weathering and erosion.
Weathering breaks rock where it is. Erosion moves the pieces to another place.
5
Write what erosion could do on a hilly farm in heavy rain and one thing farmers can do to protect the soil.
Rain washes soil downhill. Farmers can plant rows of plants or trees to hold the soil.