Surface Shaping Processes - Middle School Earth and Space Science
Card 1 of 25
What is the mechanical weathering process that scrapes rock surfaces by friction during transport?
What is the mechanical weathering process that scrapes rock surfaces by friction during transport?
Tap to reveal answer
Abrasion. Rock particles grind against surfaces like sandpaper during movement.
Abrasion. Rock particles grind against surfaces like sandpaper during movement.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is ice wedging (frost wedging)?
What is ice wedging (frost wedging)?
Tap to reveal answer
Freezing water expands in cracks and breaks rock apart. Water expands 9% when freezing, creating pressure that splits rock.
Freezing water expands in cracks and breaks rock apart. Water expands 9% when freezing, creating pressure that splits rock.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which process is the main external source of energy that drives weathering and erosion?
Which process is the main external source of energy that drives weathering and erosion?
Tap to reveal answer
Solar energy (drives the water cycle). Powers evaporation, precipitation, and surface water flow.
Solar energy (drives the water cycle). Powers evaporation, precipitation, and surface water flow.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What term describes sediment being dropped and building up in a new location?
What term describes sediment being dropped and building up in a new location?
Tap to reveal answer
Deposition. Transported sediment settles when the carrying force weakens.
Deposition. Transported sediment settles when the carrying force weakens.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What term describes the breakdown of rock into smaller pieces without moving it?
What term describes the breakdown of rock into smaller pieces without moving it?
Tap to reveal answer
Weathering. Physical or chemical processes break rocks apart in place.
Weathering. Physical or chemical processes break rocks apart in place.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What term describes the movement of weathered sediment from one place to another?
What term describes the movement of weathered sediment from one place to another?
Tap to reveal answer
Erosion. Wind, water, ice, or gravity transport weathered materials.
Erosion. Wind, water, ice, or gravity transport weathered materials.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is abrasion in the context of surface-shaping processes?
What is abrasion in the context of surface-shaping processes?
Tap to reveal answer
Sediment scrapes surfaces and wears them down. Moving particles act like sandpaper on rock surfaces.
Sediment scrapes surfaces and wears them down. Moving particles act like sandpaper on rock surfaces.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is frost wedging?
What is frost wedging?
Tap to reveal answer
Ice expands in cracks and breaks rock apart. Water freezes, expands 9%, and wedges rock apart mechanically.
Ice expands in cracks and breaks rock apart. Water freezes, expands 9%, and wedges rock apart mechanically.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the type of weathering that changes a rock’s minerals into new substances.
Identify the type of weathering that changes a rock’s minerals into new substances.
Tap to reveal answer
Chemical weathering. Reactions with water, oxygen, or acids alter mineral structure.
Chemical weathering. Reactions with water, oxygen, or acids alter mineral structure.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the type of weathering when rock is broken into smaller pieces without changing minerals.
Identify the type of weathering when rock is broken into smaller pieces without changing minerals.
Tap to reveal answer
Mechanical (physical) weathering. Physical forces break rock without altering mineral composition.
Mechanical (physical) weathering. Physical forces break rock without altering mineral composition.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the difference between weathering and erosion?
What is the difference between weathering and erosion?
Tap to reveal answer
Weathering breaks rock down; erosion moves the sediment. Weathering is in-place breakdown; erosion involves movement.
Weathering breaks rock down; erosion moves the sediment. Weathering is in-place breakdown; erosion involves movement.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which process most directly reduces steep slopes by moving material downhill?
Which process most directly reduces steep slopes by moving material downhill?
Tap to reveal answer
Mass wasting. Gravity pulls unstable material from oversteepened slopes.
Mass wasting. Gravity pulls unstable material from oversteepened slopes.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify whether this is erosion or deposition: a river drops sand on the inside of a meander bend.
Identify whether this is erosion or deposition: a river drops sand on the inside of a meander bend.
Tap to reveal answer
Deposition. River loses velocity on inner bend, dropping carried sediment.
Deposition. River loses velocity on inner bend, dropping carried sediment.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which process gradually lowers mountains and fills basins over long time periods?
Which process gradually lowers mountains and fills basins over long time periods?
Tap to reveal answer
Weathering, erosion, transport, and deposition. Combined processes wear down highs and fill lows over time.
Weathering, erosion, transport, and deposition. Combined processes wear down highs and fill lows over time.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is creep in mass wasting?
What is creep in mass wasting?
Tap to reveal answer
Very slow downslope movement of soil. Gravity causes imperceptible movement over years.
Very slow downslope movement of soil. Gravity causes imperceptible movement over years.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the process: a boulder becomes rounded and smaller as it tumbles downstream.
Identify the process: a boulder becomes rounded and smaller as it tumbles downstream.
Tap to reveal answer
Abrasion during erosion by running water. Sediment particles grind against rock during transport.
Abrasion during erosion by running water. Sediment particles grind against rock during transport.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the process: a river slows as it enters a lake and drops sediment in a fan shape.
Identify the process: a river slows as it enters a lake and drops sediment in a fan shape.
Tap to reveal answer
Deposition forming a delta. Velocity drops at river mouth, causing sediment to settle.
Deposition forming a delta. Velocity drops at river mouth, causing sediment to settle.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which internal process creates new land by releasing lava and ash at Earth’s surface?
Which internal process creates new land by releasing lava and ash at Earth’s surface?
Tap to reveal answer
Volcanism (volcanic eruption). Magma reaches surface, building landforms through accumulation.
Volcanism (volcanic eruption). Magma reaches surface, building landforms through accumulation.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which wind-formed landform is a mound or ridge of sand built by deposition?
Which wind-formed landform is a mound or ridge of sand built by deposition?
Tap to reveal answer
Sand dune. Wind deposits sand when velocity decreases.
Sand dune. Wind deposits sand when velocity decreases.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What type of weathering changes a rock’s minerals into new substances?
What type of weathering changes a rock’s minerals into new substances?
Tap to reveal answer
Chemical weathering. Reactions alter mineral composition, creating different compounds.
Chemical weathering. Reactions alter mineral composition, creating different compounds.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the process that moves rock and soil downslope due to gravity.
Identify the process that moves rock and soil downslope due to gravity.
Tap to reveal answer
Mass wasting. Gravity pulls loose material down steep slopes.
Mass wasting. Gravity pulls loose material down steep slopes.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which agent of erosion most commonly creates U-shaped valleys?
Which agent of erosion most commonly creates U-shaped valleys?
Tap to reveal answer
Glaciers (ice erosion). Ice carves wide, flat-bottomed valleys as it moves.
Glaciers (ice erosion). Ice carves wide, flat-bottomed valleys as it moves.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which process changes a rock’s minerals into different substances?
Which process changes a rock’s minerals into different substances?
Tap to reveal answer
Chemical weathering. Reactions alter mineral composition, creating new compounds.
Chemical weathering. Reactions alter mineral composition, creating new compounds.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which tectonic process forms rift valleys by pulling Earth’s crust apart?
Which tectonic process forms rift valleys by pulling Earth’s crust apart?
Tap to reveal answer
Plate divergence (tension and rifting). Spreading centers create valleys as crust stretches and drops.
Plate divergence (tension and rifting). Spreading centers create valleys as crust stretches and drops.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the agent of erosion that typically forms sand dunes.
Identify the agent of erosion that typically forms sand dunes.
Tap to reveal answer
Wind. Wind deposits sand when velocity decreases behind obstacles.
Wind. Wind deposits sand when velocity decreases behind obstacles.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →