Wind and Water Shape Land - 2nd Grade Science
- Which force of nature can erode land by blowing sand and dust: wind or sunlight?
- Wind. Moving air picks up and carries loose particles.
- Which observation best shows wind erosion: a dune growing or a rock becoming smooth?
- A rock becoming smooth. Wind-blown sand acts like sandpaper on rocks.
- Which land change is shown when a river makes a valley deeper and wider over time?
- Water erosion. Rivers carve valleys by carrying away rock and soil over long periods.
- What landform can a river create by cutting into land over a long time?
- A canyon (or valley). Rivers erode downward through rock over thousands of years.
- Which landform is created when wind deposits lots of sand in one area over time?
- A sand dune. Wind carries sand particles and drops them when it slows, building up dunes.
- What landform is a hill of sand made by wind piling sand in one place?
- A sand dune. Wind drops sand when it slows down or meets obstacles.
- What landform is commonly built when a river drops sand and mud at its mouth?
- A delta. Rivers slow down and drop sediment where they meet the sea.
- What observation best shows deposition after a flood?
- New layers of mud or sand are left on the ground. Floodwater drops sediment when it slows and recedes from land.
- Identify the agent of change: A strong wind blows loose sand away from a dry field.
- Wind. Wind acts as the force that moves and transports the sand particles.
- Which process usually happens after erosion when the moved material is dropped: weathering or deposition?
- Deposition. Eroded materials must settle somewhere new.
- What is the correct term for sand piling up into a hill shape because of wind?
- A sand dune. Wind deposits sand particles that accumulate into hill-shaped mounds.
- Identify the best observation of wind erosion: sand blasting a rock or a rock melting.
- Sand blasting a rock. Wind-blown sand wears away rock surfaces.
- Identify the best observation of water erosion: a riverbank collapsing or a leaf growing.
- A riverbank collapsing. Moving water undermines and removes bank material.
- Which observation best shows erosion: a growing sand pile or a shrinking riverbank?
- A shrinking riverbank. Material is being removed, making the bank smaller.
- What landform can form when a river cuts into land over a long time?
- A canyon. Rivers erode downward through rock over many years.
- Which process is shown when a stream carries pebbles and sand to a new location?
- Erosion. Moving materials from one place to another is the key feature of erosion.
- Identify the land change: waves remove sand from a beach; is this erosion or deposition?
- Erosion. Waves carry sand away from its original location.
- What is a delta?
- A delta is land built by deposited sediment where a river meets a lake or ocean. Rivers deposit sediment in fan shapes when they slow at larger bodies of water.
- Which observation best shows water shaping land: a beach changing shape or a mountain growing taller?
- A beach changing shape. Waves and currents move sand, reshaping the coastline.
- What is runoff?
- Water that flows over land after rain or snowmelt. This water carries sediment and causes erosion.
- Which process moves broken rock and soil from one place to another?
- Erosion. This transport process occurs after weathering breaks materials apart.
- Which process is happening when a river drops sand at a bend: erosion or deposition?
- Deposition. Slow water drops heavy particles it can no longer carry.
- Which situation causes faster erosion: fast-moving water or still water?
- Fast-moving water. More energy means more power to move materials.
- Which force of nature can erode land by flowing in rivers and streams: water or sound?
- Water. Flowing water has energy to carry away soil and rocks.
- Which force can wash soil away and change land shapes: water or moonlight?
- Water. Flowing water has force to move soil particles.
- What happens to soil on a hill when heavy rain flows downhill?
- The soil can be washed downhill by erosion. Gravity and water flow combine to move soil downslope.
- What is deposition?
- The dropping and settling of moved soil or rock. Materials stop moving when wind or water slows down.
- Identify the process: a river carries sand downstream and makes the riverbank smaller.
- Erosion. The river removes material from the bank.
- What is a riverbank?
- The land along the edge of a river or stream. Water constantly shapes these edges through erosion.
- What do you call soil that is carried away by moving water during rain?
- Eroded soil. Rain water picks up and carries loose soil particles.
- Identify the process: waves move sand along a beach and pile it in a new spot.
- Deposition. Waves drop sand when their energy decreases.
- What landform can waves help make by wearing away rocks along the shore?
- A sea cliff. Wave action erodes coastal rocks creating steep faces.
- What landform can waves and water erosion create by wearing away a rocky coast?
- A sea cliff. Waves constantly crash and wear away rock faces.
- What landform is a pile or hill of sand made mostly by wind?
- A sand dune. Wind deposits sand particles creating these hills.
- Which landform is most directly made by a river cutting through land over many years?
- A canyon. Rivers erode downward through rock layers, creating deep, narrow valleys.
- Which force can move sand and soil and change land shapes: wind or sunlight?
- Wind. Moving air carries loose particles like sand.
- Which process is happening when a stream carries mud downstream: erosion or deposition?
- Erosion. Moving water carries particles away from their original location.
- What landform can form when ocean waves wear away a rocky coast?
- A sea cliff. Wave action erodes rock at the shoreline.
- Identify the land change: wind drops sand into a pile; is this erosion or deposition?
- Deposition. Wind releases sand when it loses carrying power.
- Which statement is correct: Flowing water can carry soil, or flowing water cannot carry soil?
- Flowing water can carry soil. Water's movement gives it energy to pick up and transport soil particles.
- What is a sandbar?
- A raised strip of sand deposited in a river or near a shore. Forms when flowing water drops sand in shallow areas.
- Which location is most likely to collect deposited sand: behind a rock or in fast water?
- Behind a rock. Obstacles slow wind, causing sand to drop.
- Which process happens when ocean waves wear away a cliff at the beach?
- Water erosion. Waves constantly hit cliffs, breaking off pieces and carrying them away.
- Which location causes more erosion: fast-moving water or still water?
- Fast-moving water. Faster flow has more energy to carry particles away.
- Identify the agent of change: Fast-moving river water carries mud downstream.
- Water. Moving water has energy to lift and transport sediment particles.
- Which statement is correct: Wind can move sand, or wind cannot move sand?
- Wind can move sand. Wind has enough force to lift and transport light sand particles.
- What happens to sand when wind slows down near a fence or plant?
- The sand is deposited and can build up into a pile. Obstacles cause wind to slow and drop carried particles.
- What is a canyon?
- A deep valley with steep sides, often carved by a river. Rivers cut through rock over many years.
- Identify the process: a stream drops mud and small rocks when the water slows down.
- Deposition. Slower water can't carry heavy materials anymore.
- Which force can move sand and shape land: wind or sunlight?
- Wind. Moving air carries lightweight particles like sand.
- Which situation causes more wind erosion: dry, loose soil or wet, packed soil?
- Dry, loose soil. Wind easily lifts light, dry particles.
- Which force can carry soil downhill and reshape land: water or sound?
- Water. Flowing water has energy to move soil and rocks.
- Which observation best shows deposition: a riverbank wearing away or a sandbar forming?
- A sandbar forming. New sand builds up where water drops it.
- What observation best shows that water can cause erosion on a hillside after rain?
- Small channels or gullies form where water flowed. Running water cuts paths as it carries away loose soil downhill.
- What landform is commonly built by wind when sand piles up in one place?
- A sand dune. Wind deposits sand when it slows down, creating hills.
- Which observation best shows deposition: a new sandbar or a cracked rock?
- A new sandbar. Sand is being deposited to form a new feature.
- Which observation best shows wind shaping land: ripples in a dune or a river delta?
- Ripples in a dune. Wind creates patterns by moving sand particles.
- Which process leaves sediments behind to build up new land?
- Deposition. Sediments accumulate where wind or water loses energy to carry them.
- Which change usually happens first: weathering, erosion, or deposition?
- Weathering. Rocks must break down before pieces can be moved or deposited elsewhere.
- Which process is shown when a river slows down and drops sand at its mouth?
- Deposition. Slower water can't carry heavy particles, so they settle to the bottom.
- What is one common landform made by deposited river mud near where a river meets a lake or sea?
- A delta. Rivers deposit sediment where they slow at larger bodies of water.
- Identify the process: wind picks up dry soil and moves it to a different place.
- Erosion. Wind lifts and transports loose particles.