Weathering Erosion and Deposition Worksheet Archives - EduMonitor - Free Printable

Let's go through each question on the worksheet "Earth Systems: Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition" step by step, explaining the correct answers based on the images and scientific principles.

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1. Which of the following is an example of physical weathering?

Options:
(a) Dissolving limestone
(b) Breaking rocks apart due to freezing
(c) Grinding rocks down by windblown sand
(d) All of the above

Answer: (b) Breaking rocks apart due to freezing

Explanation:
- Physical weathering breaks rocks into smaller pieces without changing their chemical composition.
- Freezing water in cracks expands, causing rocks to crack — this is called frost wedging, a classic example of physical weathering.
- (a) Dissolving limestone is chemical weathering (specifically dissolution).
- (c) Grinding rocks by windblown sand is abrasion, which is erosion, not weathering.
- So only (b) is physical weathering.

✔ Correct answer: (b)

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2. What is the main agent of erosion in this picture?

Image: A river flowing through a landscape with trees and sediment being carried.

Options:
(a) Wind
(b) Gravity
(c) Water
(d) Ice

Answer: (c) Water

Explanation:
The image shows a river carrying sediment. Rivers are powerful agents of erosion, transporting soil, rocks, and sediments downstream. This is water erosion.

✔ Correct answer: (c)

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3. This image shows an example of:

Image: A coastal landscape with sea arches and stacks (rock formations in the ocean).

Options:
(a) Physical weathering
(b) Chemical weathering
(c) Erosion
(d) Deposition

Answer: (c) Erosion

Explanation:
The image shows sea arches and rock stacks, which form when waves erode softer rock layers, leaving behind harder rock. This is coastal erosion caused by wave action.

- While weathering (especially physical and chemical) contributes, the formation of these features is primarily due to erosion.
- Deposition would be if sediments were being laid down, which isn't shown here.

✔ Correct answer: (c)

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4. What process forms these cave features?

Image: Stalactites and stalagmites (icicle-like formations in a cave).

Options:
(a) Erosion
(b) Deposition
(c) Chemical weathering
(d) Physical weathering

Answer: (b) Deposition

Explanation:
Stalactites and stalagmites form when calcium carbonate dissolved in water (from rainwater reacting with CO₂) is deposited as it drips from the ceiling or builds up on the floor. This is a deposition process.

- It involves chemical processes, but the formation of the features is deposition.
- The water carries dissolved minerals and leaves them behind — that’s deposition.

✔ Correct answer: (b)

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5. Sand dunes are an example of:

Image: A large sand dune in a desert.

Options:
(a) Wind erosion only
(b) Wind deposition only
(c) Both wind erosion and deposition
(d) Neither erosion nor deposition

Answer: (c) Both wind erosion and deposition

Explanation:
Sand dunes form through:
- Wind erosion: Wind picks up sand particles from one area.
- Wind deposition: Wind drops sand in another area, building dunes.

So both erosion and deposition are involved.

✔ Correct answer: (c)

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6. The Grand Canyon is a landform created by:

Image: A view of the Grand Canyon with layered rock exposed.

Options:
(a) Wind erosion
(b) Water erosion
(c) Ice glaciers
(d) All of the above

Answer: (b) Water erosion

Explanation:
The Grand Canyon was carved by the Colorado River over millions of years. The main agent of erosion is water. While wind and ice may play minor roles, water erosion is the dominant force.

- Glaciers did not carve the Grand Canyon.
- Wind erosion is minimal compared to water.

✔ Correct answer: (b)

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✔ Final Answers Summary:

| Question | Answer |
|--------|--------|
| 1 | (b) Breaking rocks apart due to freezing |
| 2 | (c) Water |
| 3 | (c) Erosion |
| 4 | (b) Deposition |
| 5 | (c) Both wind erosion and deposition |
| 6 | (b) Water erosion |

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