Question

Read the passage and answer the following question(s).

Changes to Earth's Surface
Three natural processes work together to change Earth’s surface. The table shows information about these processes.

Process Description Causes Example
Weathering Rocks and minerals being broken down by chemical or physical processes Water, wind, ice, and organisms
Chemical - Rain dissolving minerals in rocks

Physical - Plant roots growing in the crack of a rock, splitting the rock

Erosion Sediment being moved from one place to another Water, wind, ice, and gravity Small pieces of rock falling down a hill
Deposition Sediment being dropped in a new location Water, wind, and ice Sediment in a stream settling at the bottom
Resize Columns
Question 3.



A student is studying a rock formation. Which two questions could the student answer to determine if the rocks underwent chemical weathering?


Do the rocks have reddish-brown spots?


Do the rocks have small holes all over their surface?


Do the rocks experience extreme heating and cooling?


Do the rocks have cracks where plants are growing from?


Do the rocks have cracks where water can freeze and thaw

Answer 1

Correct answers:
- Do the rocks have reddish-brown spots?
- Do the rocks have small holes all over their surface?

Rationale: Reddish-brown spots indicate oxidation (a chemical change), and small holes or pitting can result from chemical dissolution of minerals. The other options (cracks from plant roots, freeze–thaw, extreme heating/cooling) are physical weathering processes.