Weathering and Erosion - Free Printable

Let’s go step by step to match each definition with the correct term, and then classify each weathering example.

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Part 1: Match the definition with the correct term

We’ll read each definition and pick the best matching letter from A–J.

1. Time-period on Earth when glaciers caused erosion.
→ That’s the Ice Age → F

2. Rocks crashing into other rocks breaking off more particles.
→ This is abrasion (rocks grinding against each other) → A

3. Decomposing, breaking up, or changing the color of rocks.
→ That’s weathering → J

4. Flat area of land that is higher than the land surrounding it.
→ That’s a plateau → H

5. Movement of rocks and sediment that have broken apart.
→ That’s erosion → C

6. May include sand, rocks, pebbles, soil, dust and other particles.
→ These are sediments → I

7. The person who studies rocks and minerals.
→ Geologist → D

8. A natural feature of the Earth’s surface.
→ Landform → G

9. The study of rocks and minerals.
→ Geology → E

10. The process of sediments reaching their destination.
→ Deposition → B

✔ So far:
1-F, 2-A, 3-J, 4-H, 5-C, 6-I, 7-D, 8-G, 9-E, 10-B

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Part 2: Tell whether each example is Chemical (C), Mechanical (M), or Biological (B) weathering

Remember:
- Mechanical (M) = physical breakage (no chemical change)
- Chemical (C) = rock changes chemically (dissolves, reacts, etc.)
- Biological (B) = living things cause the breakdown

11. Baseball-sized hail began to smash against the hillside breaking apart the soil.
→ Physical force → M

12. Salt water enters a rock, water dries, salt crystals grow and wedge the rock apart.
→ Salt crystals physically push rock apart → M (even though salt is involved, it’s mechanical wedging)

13. Minerals in rocks dissolve forming stalactites/stalagmites in a cave.
→ Dissolving = chemical change → C

14. The tree roots are causing the concrete slabs of a sidewalk to break apart.
→ Living thing (tree) causing breakage → B

15. The wind and rain has caused damage to the tombstones in a cemetery.
→ Wind/rain = physical forces → M

16. A seed has found its way into a rock and a plant is beginning to split the small stone.
→ Plant growing = biological → B

17. The pollution has recently been high, and acid rain is destroying some monuments.
→ Acid rain causes chemical reaction → C

18. A combination of fungi and algae grow upon the surface of a rock slowly “eating it away”.
→ Living organisms → B

19. Flooding has caused a landslide and part of the hillside has been affected.
→ Water moving earth = physical movement → M

20. The salty water of the ocean is eating away the concrete support posts of the pier.
→ “Eating away” by saltwater = chemical corrosion → C

✔ Final classifications:
11-M, 12-M, 13-C, 14-B, 15-M, 16-B, 17-C, 18-B, 19-M, 20-C

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Final Answer:

Matching Definitions:
1. F
2. A
3. J
4. H
5. C
6. I
7. D
8. G
9. E
10. B

Weathering Types:
11. M
12. M
13. C
14. B
15. M
16. B
17. C
18. B
19. M
20. C