RONA Private Educational Complex

Science Worksheet (Ch:6)

Name: ……………………….……………………… 2021-2022 Grade :9

Q/ Choose the correct answer:

1- The process by which rocks decompose as a result of chemical reaction is called……………………..

A- abrasion B. chemical weathering
B- mechanical weathering D. acid precipitation
2- The alternative freezing and thawing of soil and rock is called……………………..
A- frost action B- chemical weathering
B- mechanical weathering D- acid precipitation
3- The rocks more exposed to wind, rain, and acid are located……………………..
A- on low elevation B- on high elevation
B- in streams D- in worm and humid climate
4- Chemical reaction in which an element like iron combines with oxygen to form oxide is called……………………
A- weathering C- abrasion
B- oxidation D- erosion
5- Which of the following things can not cause mechanical weathering?
A- water C- wind
B- animal D- acid
6- …………………….. is one the of the reasons of abrasion
A- Wind C- Tree roots
B- ice wedging D- Humidity
7- …………………….. is a process by which softer, less weather resistant rocks wear away and leaves harder, more
weather resistant rocks behind?
A- Erosion C- Deflation
B- Weathering D- Differential weathering
8- The soil that moved away from parent rock is called…………………….
A- soil texture C- residual soil
B- transported soil D- bedrock
9- Breakdown of rocks into small pieces by physical mean is……………………..
A- chemical weathering C- acid precipitation
B- mechanical weathering D- A and B
10- High elevation rocks on a mountain weather away more than lower elevation because the higher elevation
are……………………..
A- more cold C- exposed to more wind, rain and ice
B- more warm D- slow removal of sediments
11- Abrasion is the process of wearing a way of rock surface because of……………………..
A- wind C- water
B- gravity D- all of them
12- Chemical weathering happens in low rate in the region……………………..
A- warm and dry C- cold and dry
B- warm and humid D- cold and humid
13- Which of the following water factor is NOT factor of mechanical weathering?
A- Ice wedging inside the rock cracks C- Wearing out of rocks by acid precipitation
B- Abrasion of rocks by river water D- A and C
14- Which of the following causes mechanical weathering?
A- water C- acid
B- ice D- A and B
15- Which of the soil characteristics affect in soil humidity?
A- its layer C- its composition (soil structure)
B- its fertility D- its hydrogen number
16- Soil is important because it provides ……………………..
A- housing for animals C- nutrients for plants
B- storage for water D- all of them
17- ……………………..is arrangement of soil particles.
A- Soil structure C- Soil texture
B- Soil pH D- Soil infertility
18- The rock formation that is the source of soil is called……………………..
A- bed rock C- parent rock
B- humus D-none of them
19- Soya beans:
A- prevent soil from erosion C- cover crops
B- restore nutrients to the soil D- all of them
20- Which of the following NOT causes of mechanical weathering?
A- acid precipitation and air C- water and animals
B- wind and gravity D- rust and root of plant
21- Which type of soil is based on the proportion of soil particles?
A- soil transmitter B- soil structure
B- soil texture D- soil particles
22- A rock will have a lower rate of weathering when the rock……………………..
A- is at a high elevation C- has more surface area exposed to weathering
B- is in a humid climate D- is very hard rock, such as granite
23- Fertile soil characterized by containing……………………..
A- less humus C- more humus
B- little granule D- big granule
24- Planting different crops to consume different nutrients from the soil is ……………………..
A- contour of plowing C- sequence of production
B- no-till farming D- crop rotation
25- When the water freeze inside the cracks……………………..
A- squeeze rock C- shrinkage of rocks
B- expand the cracks D- all of them
26- Talus form in the mountainsides because of……………………..
A- wind C- water
B- gravity D- all of them
27- ……………………..help abrasion by tumbling rocks inside fast moving river.
A- wind C- water
B- gravity D- all of them
28- ……………………..help abrasion by blowing sand.
A- wind C- water
B- gravity D- all of them
29- ……………………..from natural sources such as volcanoes, can make precipitation acidic.
A- phosphoric acid C- nitric and sulfuric acid
B- carbon monoxide D- all of them
30- acid precipitation forms by……………………..
A- abrasion C- oxidation
B- burning of fossil fuels D- mechanical weathering
31- Small rocks more vulnerable to weathering than large rocks, because small rocks has more surface area
to……………………..
A- size B- shape
B- volume D- moisture
32- …………………….. is the mixture of rock fragments, organic material, water and air that support the growth of
vegetation.
A- rock C-mineral
B- soil D- weathering
33- …………………….. contains more humus than any other of soil horizon.
A- sediment C- bed rock
B- topsoil D- leaching
34- …………………….. process of protecting soil from erosion and nutrient loss.
A- Abrasion C- Oxidation
B- Conservation D- Mechanical weathering
35- Which of the following causes abrasion?
A- water C-gravity
B- limestone D- both A and C
36- The ……………………..occurs when rocks exert forces on each other as they tumble a mountainside
A- frost action C-oxidation
B- talus D- ventifacts
37- …………………….. is mechanical weathering.
A- Abrasion C-Gravity
B- Water D-None of them
38- Which of the following causes mechanical weathering?
A- Worm C- Cow
B- Echidnas D-Cat
39- Rust is result of……………………..
A- mechanical weathering C- erosion
B- chemical weathering D- abrasion
40- Temperature is a major factor in……………………..
A- chemical weathering C -mechanical weathering
B- erosion D- a and b
41- …………………….. is the soil quality that is based on proportion of soil particles
A- soil structure C-soil fertility
B- soil pH D-soil texture
42- The top layer of soil is often called……………………..
A- topsoil C- bottom soil
B- humus D- soil structure
43- Which of the following soil properties influence how nutrients can be dissolved in soil?
A- soil texture C-soil fertility
B- soil structure D-soil pH
44- Which of the following processes is a possible effect of water?
A- mechanical weathering C- abrasion
B- chemical weathering D-all of them
45- Which of the following properties does soil texture affect?
A- soil temperature C- soil pH
B- soil consistency D-none of them
46- Which of the following soil conservation techniques prevents erosion?
A- contour plowing C-terracing
B- no-till farming D-all
47- Practicing which of the following soil conservation techniques will replace nutrients in the soil?
A- contour plowing C-no-till farming
B- terracing D- Cover crops
48- …………………….. the rows that act as serious of dams instead of a serious of rivers
A- Terracing C-Contour plowing
B- Crop rotation D- All of them
49- Which of the following are responsible for transporting soil?
A- Wind C- The movement of glaciers
B- Rivers D- All of them
50- …………………….. is the layer of rock beneath soil.
A- Topsoil C- Parent rock
B- Bedrock D- None of them
51- …………………….. is the ability of water to move through soil.
A- Infiltration C-Leaching
B- Consistency D- Soil fertility
52- …………………….. are rocks that has been shaped by blowing sand.
A- Ventifacts C-sand reshaped rock
B- talus D- None of them
53- Which of the following is agent of mechanical weathering?
A- animals C-plants
B- ice D- All of them
54- ……………………..is the average weather condition in an area over a long period of time?
A- Volume C-Surface area
B- Elevation D-Climate
55- Which of the following soil properties influences soil moisture?
A- Soil horizon C-Soil fertility
B- Soil structure D- Soil pH
56- Which of the following properties describes a soils ability to supply nutrients?
A- Soil structure C-Infiltration
B- Soil fertility D-Consistency
 Section one
Weathering
Q/ What is weathering? What are types of weathering?

Weathering: is the process by which rock materials are broken down by the action of physical or chemical
processes without being transported.

Types of weathering:
1- Mechanical weathering
2- Chemical weathering

Q/ What are the agents of mechanical weathering?

Agents of mechanical weathering include:
1) ice,
2) wind,
3) water,
4) gravity,
5) plants, and
6) animals.

Q/ What is the difference between Mechanical weathering and Chemical weathering

(Describe two major types of weathering)
Mechanical weathering Chemical weathering
Mechanical weathering: is the breakdown of rock Chemical weathering: is the process by which
into small pieces by physical means. rocks break down as a result of chemical reactions.
Agents of mechanical weathering include: Common agents of chemical weathering are:
1. ice, 1. water,
2. wind, 2. weak acids, and
3. water, 3. air.
4. gravity,
5. plants, and even
6. animals.

Mechanical weathering:

➢ Ice
Frost action: the alternate freezing and thawing of soil and rock, is a form of mechanical weathering.
Mechanical Weathering → ICE
occurs as follows:
• water seeps into cracks during warm weather.
• When temperatures drop, the water freezes and expands.
• The ice then pushes against the sides of the crack.
• This causes the crack to widen.
➢ Abrasion:
Q/ Define abrasion, Name three things that can cause abrasion. (Describe three ways abrasion occurs in
nature)
Abrasion: is the grinding and wearing away of rock surfaces through the mechanical action of other rock or
sand particles.
Abrasion can happen in many ways:
1- water:
When rocks and pebbles roll along the bottom of swiftly flowing rivers, they bump into and scrape against
each other.
The weathering that occurs eventually causes these rocks to become rounded and smooth.
2- Wind
When wind blows sand and silt against exposed rock, the sand eventually wears away the rock’s surface.
(rocks that has been shaped by blowing sand are called ventifacts)
3- gravity
rocks grind each other in a rock slide, which creates smaller and smaller fragments called talus.

➢ Plants
As the plant grows, the force of the expanding root becomes so strong that the crack widens.
Eventually, the entire rock can split apart.

➢ Animals
Earthworms burrow through the soil and move soil particles around. This exposes fresh surfaces to
continued weathering.

Q/ List three animals that can cause weathering.

1. Ants,
2. worms,
3. mice, and
4. rabbits

Q/ Compare the ways tree roots and ice mechanically weather rock.
A/ tree roots and ice widen cracks of rocks.
Chemical weathering: is the process by which rocks break down as a result of chemical reactions.
Q/ What are the agents of chemical weathering? (Q/ List five sources of chemical weathering.)
Common agents of chemical weathering are:
1) water,
2) acid precipitation
3) acid in groundwater
4) acids in living things (for example: Lichens produce acids that can slowly break down rock.)
5) air.

➢ Water
• Rain, weak acids and air chemically weather granite.
• The bonds between mineral grains weaken as weathering proceeds.
• When granite weathered, it makes sand and clay.

➢ Acid precipitation

acid precipitation: is rain, or snow, that contains a high concentration of acids.

The high level of acidity can cause very rapid weathering of rock.

acid precipitation can be caused by:

1- Small amounts of sulfuric and nitric acids from natural sources, such as volcanoes.
2- Air pollution from the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal and oil.

Q/ Describe how does acid precipitation form?

1. When fuels (coal and oil) are burned, they give off gases, including: (sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and
carbon oxides.)
2. When these compounds combine with water in the atmosphere, they form acids,
3. Then fall back to the ground in rain and snow.

➢ Acids in Groundwater

In certain places groundwater contains acids, such as carbonic acid or sulfuric acid that can dissolve limestone
and form karst features, such as caverns.

➢ Acids in Living Things

Lichens produce acids that can slowly break down rock.

➢ Air

The oxygen in the air is reacting with the iron in the car, causing the car to rust.

Water speeds up the process.

Q/What is oxidation? What can cause oxidation?

• Oxidation: is a chemical reaction in which an element, like iron combines with oxygen to form oxide.

• A/ When oxygen in the air reaches iron.

Section two
Rates of Weathering
Q/ What are three things that affect the rate of weathering?
The rate at which rock weathers depends on:
1. Hardness of the rock (makeup of the rock)
2. Shape of the rock
3. Climate
4. Elevation

Differential weathering: is a process by which softer, less weather resistant rocks wear away and leave
harder, more weather resistant rocks behind.

Q/ What is the differences between weathering of hard rocks and soft rocks?
Hard rocks (such as granite) weather more slowly than softer rocks (such as limestone).

Q/Why is the Rock Tower higher than the surrounding area?

Because rock tower is hard and more weather resistant, protected from weathering by the soft outer rock of
the volcano.

Weathering and the shape of rocks

Q/Why does weathering of the rock happen much more quickly, if a large rock is broken into smaller
fragments?
A/ because a smaller rock has more surface area to volume than a larger rock has. So, more of a smaller rock
is exposed to the weathering process.

Weathering and climate

Climate: is the average weather condition in an area over a long period of time.
weathering is faster in warm, humid climates than in the cold, dry climates.

Q/How does water and temperature affect mechanical and chemical weathering?
 Mechanical weathering Chemical weathering
❖ Water increases the rate of mechanical The rate of chemical weathering is faster
Water weathering. in warm, humid climates.
The freezing of water that seeps into the
Temperature cracks of rocks causes rocks to break apart.
Oxidation happens at a faster rate
❖ Temperature leads to a greater rate of when:
mechanical weathering. ❖ Temperatures are higher
The more often temperatures cause freezing ❖ Water is present
and thawing, the more often rocks break apart

Weathering and Elevation

Q/Why do mountaintops weather faster than rocks at sea level?

Because mountaintops are exposed to more wind, rain, and ice than rocks at sea level.

Q/ Why does the peak of a mountain weather faster than the rocks at the bottom of the mountain?
Because rocks at higher elevations, as on a mountain, are exposed to more wind, rain, and ice than the rocks
at lower elevations are.

Weathering and Gravity

The steepness of mountain slopes increases the effects of mechanical and chemical weathering.
• The continual removal of sediment by rainwater down the mountain's slop exposes fresh rock
surfaces to the effects of weathering.

• New rock surfaces are exposed to weathering when gravity causes rocks to fall away from the sides of
mountains and forming talus.

Q/ How does each of following affect the rate of weathering?

1- Hardness: hard rocks (such as granite) weather more slowly than softer rocks(such as limestone).
2- Surface area: the more surface area that is exposed to weathering, the faster the rock will be worn
down.
3- Climate: weathering is faster in warm, humid climates than in the cold, dry climates.
4- Elevation: rocks at higher elevations, as on a mountain weather faster, because they exposed to more
wind, rain, and ice than the rocks at lower elevations are.
 Section three
From Bedrock to the soil
Q/ What is soil?
Soil: is a loose mixture of small mineral fragments, organic material, water and air that can support the
growth of vegetation.

Q/ Why not all soils are the same??

Because soils are made from weathered rock fragments, the type of soil that forms depends on the type of
rock that weathers.

Q/ What is soil formed from?

small mineral fragments, organic material, water and air.

Q/ What is the difference between the following?

1- Parent rock and Bed rock

2- Residual soil and Transported soil

Parent rock Bed rock

the rock formation that is the source of mineral is the layer of rock beneath soil.
fragments in the soil. In this case, the bedrock is the parent rock because
the soil above it formed from the bedrock below.

Residual soil Transported soil

is the soil that remains above its parent rock. is blown or washed away from its parent rock.

❖ Transported soil blown or washed away from its parent rock, and deposited in another place on
top of a rock, which is considered a bedrock not a parent rock.

Q/ When is parent rock the same as bedrock?

A/ Bedrock is the parent rock, when the soil above it formed from the bedrock below.
(When the rock formation that is the source of mineral fragments in the soil lies directly above the bedrock.)

Q/ How soil is moved from one place to another?

1- wind and
2- the movement of glaciers.
Soil properties:
1- Soil texture
2- Soil structure and
3- Soil fertility.

Soil texture: is the soil quality that is based on the proportions of soil particles.

Soil texture affects:

1- The soil's consistency
2- The infiltration

Consistency: describes a soil's ability to be worked and broken up for farming.

For example, soil texture that has a large proportion of clay can be hard and difficult for farmers to break up.

Infiltration: ability of water to move through soil.

Soil should allow water to get to the plant’s roots without causing the soil to be completely saturated.

Water and air movement through soil is influenced by:

1- Soil texture
2- Soil structure.

Soil structure: is the arrangement of soil particles.

A clump of one type of soil in an area can either block water flow or help water flow, which affects soil
moisture.

Q/What does soil fertility mean?

Fertility: a soil's ability to hold nutrients (such as iron) and to supply nutrients to a plant.

Q/ Where do the nutrients in the soil come from?

1. Many nutrients come from the parent rock.
2. Other nutrients come from humus.

Humus: is the organic material formed in soil from the decayed remains of plants and animals.
These remains are broken down into nutrients by decomposers, such as bacteria and fungi.

Q/ What are layers (horizons) of the soil?

1. humus-rich soil on top, (Topsoil)
2. sediment below that, and
3. bedrock on the bottom.
Topsoil: is the top layer of soil.

❖ Topsoil contains more humus than the layers below it.

❖ The humus is rich in the nutrients plant need to be healthy.

Soil pH
pH scale: is used to measure how acidic or basic a soil is and ranges from 1 to 14.

❖ Soil can be acidic or basic.

❖ The pH of a soil influences how nutrients dissolve in the soil.
❖ The pH of soil often ranges between 6 and 8.

Q/ What is the difference between the following?

Soli texture Soil structure

is the soil quality that is based on the proportions of is the arrangement of soil particles.
soil particles.

Q/ How does each of the following soil’s properties affects soil?

Soil properties Its effect
1. Soil texture 1- Affects soil’s consistency and infiltration.
2- Affects water and air movement through soil.
2. Soil structure Affects water and air movement through soil.
3. Clump Affects soil moisture.
4. Soil PH Influences how nutrients dissolve in the soil.
 Section four

Soil conservation

Soil conservation: is a method to maintain the fertility of the soil by protecting the soil from erosion and
nutrient loss.

Q/ Why is soil important?

1- Soil provides minerals and other nutrients for plants.
2- Soil also provides a place (habitat) for animals to live.
3- Soil is also extremely important to plants for water storage.

Habitat: the region where a plant or animal lives.

Q/ What factors cause soil damage?

1- overuse by poor farming techniques or
2- by overgrazing.

Q/Describe the process of desertification.

Overused soil can lose its nutrients and become infertile. Plants can’t grow in soil that is infertile.
Without plants to hold and help cycle water, the area can become a desert. This process is known as
desertification.

Erosion: is the process by which rocks are abraded and the fragments are transported from one location to
another.

Q/ by taking care of the vegetation, you also can take care of the soil?

A/ because roots (are like anchor to the soil) keep topsoil from being eroded. Therefore, plants and
trees protect the soil.

Methods of soil conservation (How to prevent soil erosion and soil damage?)

1. Contour plowing
2. Terracing
3. No-till farming
4. Cover crops
5. Crop rotation
Contour plowing: plow across the slope of the hills, to prevent erosion.
In contour plowing, the rows act as a series of dams instead of a series of rivers.

Terracing: changes one steep field into a series of smaller, flatter fields.
If the hills are really steep, farmers can use terracing.

No-till farming: is the practice of leaving old stalks, provides cover from rain. The cover reduces water
runoff and slows soil erosion.

Cover crops: are crops that are planted between harvests to replace certain nutrients and prevent erosion.
Cover crops prevent erosion by providing cover from wind and rain.
Ex: soybean and peanuts

• soybeans and peanuts use between seasons of planting cotton.

• they help to restore important nutrients to the soil.

Q/ What can soybeans and peanuts do for nutrient-poor soil?

A/ they help to restore important nutrients to the soil.

Q/How does cover crops help prevent soil erosion?

Cover crops prevent erosion by providing cover from wind and rain.

Crop rotation: is to plant different crops to slow down nutrient depletion because different crop will use up
less nutrients or different nutrients from the soil.

• If the same crop is grown year after year in the same field, certain nutrients become depleted.

Q/ How does crop rotation benefit soil?

A/ They slow down nutrient depletion because they use up less nutrients or different nutrients from the soil.
Q/ list five methods of soil conservation, and describe how each helps prevent the loss of the soil?

1- Contour plowing: plow across the slope of the hills, to prevent erosion.
In contour plowing, the rows act as a series of dams instead of a series of rivers.

2- Terracing: changes one steep field into a series of smaller, flatter fields.
If the hills are really steep, farmers can use terracing.

3- No-till farming: is the practice of leaving old stalks, provides cover from rain. The cover reduces
water runoff and slows soil erosion.

4- Cover crops: are crops that are planted between harvests to replace certain nutrients and prevent
erosion.
Cover crops prevent erosion by providing cover from wind and rain.
Ex: soybean and peanuts.

5- Crop rotation: is to plant different crops to slow down nutrient depletion because different crop will
use up less nutrients or different nutrients from the soil.
If the same crop is grown year after year in the same field, certain nutrients become depleted.

Q/ What can happen to soil when soil conservation is not practiced?

• Soil erosion
• Soil damage

Q/ What is the difference between the following

Contour plowing Terracing

plowing across the slope of the hills to prevent changes one steep field into a series of smaller,
erosion. flatter fields.

the rows act as a series of dams instead of a series of If the hills are really steep, farmers can use
rivers. terracing.

cover crops crop rotation

are crops that are planted between harvests to
replace certain nutrients and prevent erosion.
Cover crops prevent erosion by providing cover
from wind and rain.
Ex: soybean and peanuts.
is to plant different crops to slow down nutrient
depletion because different crop will use up less
nutrients or different nutrients from the soil.
If the same crop is grown year after year in the same
field, certain nutrients become depleted.

Prepared by: Shelan Jamal