SCIENCE 2ND SEMESTER VOCAB LIST

Geologic feature

Details of Earth’s surface created by geology, such as volcanos, mountains, trenches, and canyons.

Weathering

The process by which rock materials are broken down by physical and chemical processes.

Sediment

Fragments of weathered rock that are an important part of soil.

Surface area

The amount of space covering the outside of something; larger rocks weather more slowly due to having a smaller surface area compared to smaller rocks with the same volume.

Physical weathering

The mechanical breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces, examples include temperature changes, pressure changes, and interactions with plants, animals, water, wind, ice, and gravity.

Abrasion

When wind or water scratches rock surfaces.

Chemical weathering

The chemical decomposition of rocks that changes the chemistry of the rock, such as acid rain and oxidation.

Oxidation

When oxygen chemically reacts with molecules and changes the type of rock, exemplified by steel rusting and copper turning green.

Acid Precipitation

When chemical pollution gets into rainwater, making it more acidic.

Climate and weathering

Physical weathering occurs in cold, wet climates; chemical weathering occurs in warm, wet climates, with warm, wet climates weathering rocks the fastest.

Erosion

The process by which wind, water, ice, or gravity transport weathered material from one location to another.

Butte

Rock formations created by wind abrasion, found in Arizona.

Canyon

Formed when a river erodes sediments away, creating a narrow valley with steep sides.

Runoff

When water carries away soil and sediments.

Deposition

When eroded materials are dropped or laid down.

Delta

Where a river slows down and deposits sediments.

Glacier

A large ice formation that lasts year round; glaciers formed the Great Lakes.

Moraine

Materials that a glacier drops off in a mountain valley, including erratics and other sediments.

Sand dune

Accumulation of sand on land.

Sand bar

Accumulation of sand in water.