Name:_____________________________ Date: _____________

Block: _____________________________

Review Worksheet – Mechanical and Chemical Weathering

and Erosion
Directions: From the list below sort the Weathering Processes into the correct column depending on whether
each is an example of Mechanical (Physical) Weathering or Chemical Weathering.

Frost Action Thermal (Heat) Expansion & Contraction

Oxidation Root Wedging
Animal Activity Carbonation (Dissolution)
Acid rain Hydrolysis
Abrasion (Exfoliation) Human Activity
Water Dissolves Minerals in Rocks Hydration
Mechanical (Physical) Weathering Chemical Weathering

Directions: Complete each of the following short answers, using the terms found below.

Oxygen Climate Iron

Mineral Composition Time Water

1. Rust forms by ______________________, ___________________ and ____________________ interacting.

Note: One of the forces is a gas, another is a mineral and one is a liquid.

2. The following forces can change the rate at which rocks weather: _______________________,
______________________________, and _____________________________.

PDS/Earth Science and Honors Earth Science/December 11, 2009

Directions: Fill in the blanks with the correct choice of word(s) from the 2 lists in the box below. Note: A
word may be used more than once.

chemical weathering water

dry cleavage
hot roots
minerals fragments
humid cold
surface area sun

1. The best conditions for chemical weathering to take place is a climate that is _________________ and
__________________.

2. The best conditions for frost action to take place is a climate that is _________________ and
__________________.

3. __________________ speeds up chemical weathering processes.

4. Mechanical weathering breaks down large rocks into smaller _______________. This enables the process of
______________ _______________ to take place faster and more easily due to an increase in the
_______________ ________________ of exposed rock material.

5. Some rocks are more resistant to weathering than other rocks. This is because the ___________________ in
the rocks are harder and more resistant to weathering.

Directions: Match each of the following actions with the correct type of weathering (Mechanical or Chemical)
that is ongoing.

_____ 1. Roots uplifting sidewalk a. Weathering by the actions of animals

_____ 2. Ice Wedging b. Chemical Weathering

_____ 3. Chipmunks and Rabbits c. Mechanical weathering

_____ 4. Acid Rain d. Weathering by the actions of plants

Directions: Identify each statement below as a statement below as an example of Mechanical or Chemical
weathering. Write “M” for Mechanical or “C” for Chemical in the blank provided.

_____ 1. the wedging of tree roots along natural joints in granite

_____ 2. limestone dissolved by carbonic acid

_____ 3. the oxidation of minerals that contain iron

_____ 4. animal burrows dug in rock that let in water and air

_____ 5. repeated freezing and thawing of water that cracks rock

PDS/Earth Science and Honors Earth Science/December 11, 2009

_____ 6. the action of water, salt and air on car fenders

_____ 7. acids from plant roots that break up rocks

_____ 8. formation of potholes in streets during severe winters

_____ 9. raised sections of sidewalk along tree-lined streets

_____ 10. a small rock falling from a cliff

_____ 11. feldspar mixing with water and producing clay minerals

_____ 12. halite in rocks dissolving in water

_____ 13. decaying plants dissolving minerals in rocks

_____ 14. tree roots cracking the concrete foundation of a house

_____ 15. iron lawn furniture rusting outside

_____ 16. leaves decaying in the forest

PDS/Earth Science and Honors Earth Science/December 11, 2009