Chapter 9

Weathering

Class 9 - Total Geography Morning Star

Short Answer Questions

Question 1

What is weathering?

Answer

Weathering is the process of breaking down of rocks but not its removal. It is described as
disintegration or decomposition of a rock in size by natural agents at or near the surface of
the earth.

Question 2

Name three types of weathering.

Answer

Three types of weathering are-

1. Physical weathering
2. Chemical weathering
3. Biological weathering

Question 3

Give two differences between physical and chemical weathering.

Answer

Physical weathering Chemical weathering

It involves rock disintegration In this weathering, some or all of the minerals in

without any change in the chemical the rocks suffer decay or alteration and
constituents of the rock. transform into different chemical combinations.

Agents of physical weathering

Agents of chemical weathering include water,
include temperature changes,
oxygen, carbon or various organic acids.
moisture, frost action and wind.

Question 4
What is known as exfoliation? Name the processes involved in it.

Answer

When the outer layers of rocks become loose and peel off or disintegrate from the main
rock, it is called exfoliation. Sudden temperature changes may cause fissures into which
water penetrates which in turn stimulates chemical weathering. The sudden contraction
and expansion of rocks also causes exfoliation.

The processes involved in exfoliation are mechanical or physical weathering, chemical

weathering, contraction and expansion of rocks.

Question 5

Name the four processes involved in chemical weathering.

Answer

The four processes involved in chemical weathering are-

1. Oxidation
2. Carbonation
3. Hydration
4. Solution

Question 6

What is known as oxidation? What effect does it have on the colour of rocks?

Answer

Oxidation means reaction of minerals in rocks to atmospheric oxygen.

When the atmospheric oxygen comes in contact with iron-compounds in rocks, the iron
starts rusting or crumbling. The colour of the rock changes to red, yellow or brown.

Give a technical term for each of the following

Question 1

Disintegration or decomposition of rocks.

Answer

Weathering of rocks

Question 2

Peeling off of the outer layer of rock through contraction and expansion.

Answer
Exfoliation

Question 3

Expansion of minerals in rocks on coming into contact with rainwater.

Answer

Hydration

Distinguish between each of the following

Question 1

Block Disintegration and Exfoliation.

Answer

Block Disintegration Exfoliation

Sudden temperature changes may cause

The sudden rise and fall of
fissures into which water penetrates which in
temperature causes expansion and
turn stimulates chemical weathering. Most
contraction of rocks. The repeated
rocks are not good conductors of heat. The
action leads to tension and splitting of
sudden contraction and expansion peels off the
rocks known as block disintegration.
outer layer known as exfoliation.

Question 2

Carbonation and Solution.

Answer

Carbonation Solution

In carbonation, rainwater converts calcium carbonate It is the process in which

present in the rocks into calcium bicarbonate which is minerals in the rocks
soluble and is taken away by the ground water. dissolve in water.

Structured Questions

Question 1(a)

Define weathering and describe the chief characteristics of weathering.

Answer
Weathering is the process of breaking down of rocks but not its removal. It is described as
disintegration or decomposition of a rock in size by natural agents at or near the surface of
the earth.

The chief characteristics of weathering are-

1. It involves disintegration or decay of solid rocks.

2. It depends on climatic elements and on the characteristics of rocks.
3. It affects the surface of the earth.
4. It causes formation of soil.
5. It involves not one but several processes to cause disintegration of rocks.
6. It changes hard massive rocks into finer materials.
7. It prepares rock materials for transportation by agents of gradation.

Question 1(b)

Distinguish between physical and chemical weathering.

Answer

Physical weathering Chemical weathering

It involves rock disintegration In this weathering, some or all of the minerals in

without any change in the chemical the rocks suffer decay or alteration and
constituents of the rock. transform into different chemical combinations.

Agents of physical weathering

Agents of chemical weathering include water,
include temperature changes,
oxygen, carbon or various organic acids.
moisture, frost action and wind.

It is more rapid in desert climates. It occurs in moist and cold climates.

It mostly takes place near the surface of the

Rocks are affected to great depths.
earth.

Question 1(c)

Give a geographical reason for each of the following:

(i) Physical weathering is also called mechanical weathering.

(ii) Physical weathering is more rapid in desert climates.

(iii) Chemical weathering occurs in moist and cold climates.

Answer
(i) Physical weathering is also called mechanical weathering as it involves rock
disintegration without any change in the chemical constituents of the rock.

(ii) Physical weathering is more rapid in desert climates because temperature changes are
sharpest in a desert.

(iii) Chemical weathering occurs in moist and cold climates because such climate has
abundant water and oxygen which are the main agents of chemical weathering.

Question 1(d)

Draw a well labelled diagram to show the process of physical weathering.

Answer

Below diagram shows the process of physical weathering:

Question 2(a)

Describe chemical weathering mentioning the processes involved in it.

Answer

In chemical weathering, some or all of the minerals in the rocks suffer decay or alteration,
by such agents as water, oxygen, carbon or various organic acids, and transform into
different chemical combinations.

Four main processes involved in chemical weathering are-

1. Oxidation
2. Carbonation
3. Hydration
4. Solution

Question 2(b)

What is biological weathering? State the main agents of biological weathering.

Answer

Biological weathering involves both physical disintegration and chemical decomposition as

all biological matter is made up of oxygen and water.

The main agents of biological weathering are animals, insects, plants and man.

Question 2(c)

Give a geographical reason for each of the following:

(i) Biological weathering is also known as organic weathering.

(ii) Vegetation prevents disintegration of rocks.

(iii) Chemical and biological weathering is negligible in polar climates.

Answer

(i) Biological weathering is also known as organic weathering because it is the

disintegration of rocks as a result of the action by living organisms.

(ii) Vegetation prevents disintegration of rocks because it binds the surface layer and does
not allow exposure of rocks beneath to the elements of weathering.

(iii) Chemical and biological weathering is negligible in polar climates because water is in
frozen state in the polar regions and most living organisms cannot survive in such cold
climatic conditions.

Question 2(d)
Describe the chief characteristics of weathering in different climates.

Answer

The chief characteristics of weathering in different climates are-

1. In equatorial climates, humidity and temperature are constantly high. Weathering

specially chemical weathering is more active in these regions.
2. In Tropical climates, there is a marked dry season and wet season. Differences in
heating leads to consistently high rate of evaporation, During wet season,
precipitation of oxides of iron and aluminium takes place from rocks. This promotes
formation of laterite soils.
3. In dry climates or deserts, mechanical weathering is most dominant due to high
diurnal range of temperature.
4. In mid-latitudes or temperate climates, the most powerful agent of weathering is
the frost action. In limestone areas, solution or chemical weathering operates on a
large scale.
5. In polar climates, physical weathering due to frost action is most prevalent.
Chemical and biological weathering is negligible.