Weathering and Erosion - Free Printable

Let's solve this step-by-step.

---

Part 1: Match the definition with the correct term

We are given 10 definitions and 10 terms (A–J). We need to match each number (1–10) with the correct letter.

#### Definitions & Terms:

1. Time-period on Earth when glaciers caused erosion.
→ This refers to a period of extensive glaciation, known as the Ice Age.
✔ Answer: F

2. Rocks crashing into other rocks breaking off more particles.
→ This is a physical process where rocks break apart due to impact — a form of abrasion.
✔ Answer: A

3. Decomposing, breaking up, or changing the color of rocks.
→ This describes weathering, which includes physical, chemical, and biological breakdown of rocks.
✔ Answer: I

4. Flat area of land that is higher than the land surrounding it.
→ This is a plateau.
✔ Answer: H

5. Movement or rocks and sediment that have broken apart.
→ This is erosion, the movement of weathered material by wind, water, ice, etc.
✔ Answer: C

6. May include sand, rocks, pebbles, soil, dust and other particles.
→ These are all types of sediments.
✔ Answer: I

Wait — both #3 and #6 are matching to "I" (Sediments)? That can't be right.

Let’s double-check.

- #3: "Decomposing, breaking up, or changing the color of rocks." → This is Weathering → I? Wait — no! Let's check the options again.

Actually, let's list the options clearly:

- A. Abrasion
- B. Deposition
- C. Erosion
- D. Geologist
- E. Geology
- F. Ice Age
- G. Landform
- H. Plateau
- I. Sediments
- J. Weathering

Now recheck:

3. Decomposing, breaking up, or changing the color of rocks.
→ This is Weathering → J

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

So correction:
- 3 → J
- 6 → I

Continue:

7. The person who studies rocks and minerals.
→ A geologist → D

8. A natural feature of the Earth's surface.
→ This is a landform → G

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

10. The process of sediments reaching their destination.
→ This is deposition → B

Now let’s compile the answers:

| Number | Answer |
|--------|--------|
| 1 | F (Ice Age) |
| 2 | A (Abrasion) |
| 3 | J (Weathering) |
| 4 | H (Plateau) |
| 5 | C (Erosion) |
| 6 | I (Sediments) |
| 7 | D (Geologist) |
| 8 | G (Landform) |
| 9 | E (Geology) |
| 10 | B (Deposition) |

✔ All matched correctly.

---

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

Now we analyze each scenario.

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

12. Salt water enters a rock, water dries, salt crystals grow and wedge the rock apart.
→ Crystallization causing physical breakage — Mechanical
✔ M

13. Minerals in rocks dissolve forming stalactites/stalagmites in a cave.
→ Dissolving of minerals (like calcite) by water — Chemical
✔ C

14. The tree roots are causing the concrete slabs of a sidewalk to break apart.
→ Roots growing and pushing — Biological
✔ B

15. The wind and rain has caused damage to the tombstones in a cemetery.
→ Wind and rain are agents of erosion, but if they're causing chemical changes (e.g., acid rain), it could be chemical. But here, it says “damage” — likely physical wear from wind/rain. However, rain often includes acid rain. But without specifying chemistry, it's ambiguous. But typically, wind and rain causing erosion is considered mechanical unless stated otherwise.
But wait — acid rain would be chemical. The statement doesn’t say acid rain, just “rain.” So assume general weathering.
But wind and rain acting physically → Mechanical
✔ M

However, if it’s about dissolution or chemical attack, it might be chemical. But since it says “damage,” and not dissolution, and it’s tombstones (often limestone), acid rain is common cause of deterioration. But the sentence doesn’t specify. Let's go with M for now, but note: this is tricky.

Wait — actually, tombstone erosion is often due to chemical weathering (especially from acid rain). But the sentence says “wind and rain” — not acid rain. So perhaps mechanical?

But many textbooks classify rainwater + CO₂ → weak carbonic acid as chemical weathering.

But the question says “the wind and rain has caused damage” — general.

Still, if it’s just physical impact, it's mechanical. But rainwater dissolving minerals is chemical.

Given that tombstones are usually made of marble or limestone, which react with acid rain, it's likely chemical.

But the sentence doesn’t mention acidity.

This is a judgment call.

But in most educational contexts, rain damaging tombstones is often attributed to chemical weathering due to acid rain.

But let's look at similar examples.

Compare to #18: “Acid rain is destroying monuments” → clearly C

Here, it says “wind and rain” — not acid rain.

So probably M (mechanical) — physical abrasion.

But rain alone can cause chemical weathering.

Hmm.

Better interpretation: Wind = mechanical; Rain = possible chemical.

But since it's combined and not specified, and tombstone damage is often due to chemical processes, but here it's vague.

Wait — let’s see the answer pattern.

Look at #18: “Acid rain” → C

So #15: “wind and rain” — no acid mentioned → likely mechanical

But rain can still cause chemical weathering.

However, in standard curricula, wind and rain causing physical erosion is mechanical.

So M

✔ M

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

17. The pollution has recently been high, and acid rain is destroying some monuments.
→ Acid rain → Chemical
✔ C

18. A combination of fungi and algae grow upon the surface of a rock slowly "eating it away".
→ Living organisms breaking down rock → Biological
✔ B

19. Flooding has caused a landslide and part of the hillside has been affected.
→ Flooding causes movement of material — this is erosion, but not weathering.
Wait — the question asks for weathering type — but landslide is mass wasting, not weathering.

But the prompt says: “Tell whether each example is Chemical (C), Mechanical (M), or Biological (B) weathering.”

So if it's not weathering, it's invalid? But it's listed.

But flooding causing a landslide is not weathering — it’s erosion/mass movement.

But perhaps they mean: what kind of weathering led to instability?

But the event described is flooding causing landslide, which is mechanical in nature.

But no actual breakdown of rock is described — just movement.

So maybe not weathering?

But since it's included, and floods can weaken slopes, but the main process is mechanical.

But the question is asking for type of weathering, so if no weathering is occurring, it might be none, but since it's asked, likely they expect M for mechanical (as floodwaters move material).

But weathering is the breakdown of rock *in place*. Erosion is movement.

So landslide is erosion, not weathering.

But the question says: “Tell whether each example is Chemical (C), Mechanical (M), or Biological (B) weathering.”

So if it's not weathering, it shouldn't be classified.

But since it's included, perhaps they consider flooding as mechanical weathering? No — flooding isn't weathering.

Wait — perhaps they mean the process that caused the instability?

But flooding leads to saturation, which increases weight and reduces friction — leading to mass wasting.

But no weathering is directly described.

But maybe the water is causing chemical or mechanical weathering?

But the description is flooding → landslide — so not weathering.

But in some contexts, water infiltration is mechanical (expansion) or chemical.

But here, it's flooding → landslide → movement, so not weathering.

But since it's on the list, and similar questions treat such events as mechanical, perhaps they want M.

Alternatively, floodwaters can break apart materials — mechanical.

So even though it's erosion, the force is mechanical.

But the category is weathering.

So this is a misclassification.

But in many worksheets, flooding is associated with mechanical processes.

Perhaps the intended answer is M.

✔ M (as best fit)

20. The salty water of the ocean is eating away the concrete support posts of the pier.
→ Saltwater reacting with concrete → chemical weathering (e.g., salt crystallization, or chemical reaction with cement)
Also, salt crystallization is mechanical, but “eating away” suggests chemical action.

But saltwater can cause both.

But “eating away” implies chemical.

Moreover, concrete reacts with seawater — chemical.

✔ C

But salt crystallization is mechanical — when salt grows and expands.

But here, “eating away” suggests chemical dissolution or reaction.

So C.

---

Final Answers:

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

#### Part 2: Weathering Type
11. M
12. M
13. C
14. B
15. M
16. B
17. C
18. B
19. M
20. C

---

✔ Final Answer:

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

Part 2:
11. M
12. M
13. C
14. B
15. M
16. B
17. C
18. B
19. M
20. C

---

Explanation Summary:

- Weathering is the breakdown of rock in place.
- Mechanical: physical breakdown (no change in composition).
- Chemical: change in mineral composition.
- Biological: living organisms cause breakdown.
- Erosion is the transport of weathered material.
- Deposition is the dropping of sediment.
- Sediments are loose particles.
- Geology is the study of Earth, geologist is the scientist.
- Ice Age is a period of widespread glaciation.
- Landforms are features like plateaus, valleys, etc.

Each answer was chosen based on these definitions and real-world understanding.

Let me know if you'd like a printable version or explanation for any specific item!