REVIEW QUESTIONS

6. What is oxidation? Give an example

6. What happens in oxidation?

Oxidation is present in any chemical reaction that involves the movement of electrons. Oxidation is a reaction with oxygen to form
an oxide, Oxidation is the loss of electrons during a reaction by a molecule, atom or ion. Oxidation occurs when the oxidation state
of a molecule, atom or ion is increased. Oxidation is defined as a process that involves a gain of oxygen or a loss of hydrogen. When a
substance gains oxygen or loses hydrogen during a reaction, it is oxidized.

Example: When iron reacts with oxygen it forms a

chemical called rust because it has been oxidized (the iron has lost some

electrons) and the oxygen has been reduced (the oxygen has gained some

electrons). Iron in rocks combines with oxygen in the air to form iron oxide, or rust.

8. What is hydrolysis? What happens when granitic rocks undergo hydrolysis? What minerals react? What are the reaction
products?

Hydrolysis is the chemical weathering of minerals by a mildly acidic water that forms when rains dissolves trace gases in the
atmosphere. Hydrolysis takes place when acid rain reacts with rock-forming minerals such as feldspar to produce clay and salts that are removed in
solution. The reaction of feldspar minerals in granite with rainwater produces kaolinite, white clay known as “China clay” used in the
production of porcelain, paper and glass.

10. list the products of weathering in order of decreasing size.

15. Explain how soils formed from granite will change with time.

The weathering of rocks on the Earth’s surface results in the formation of soil. Soil is formed when rocks are continuously broken
down by weathering. As rocks weather, they break into smaller pieces. These pieces are broken down into even smaller pieces to
form soil.

Time is one of the most important factors in soil formation. The longer a rock is exposed to the forces of weathering, the more it is
broken down. Mature soil is formed if all three layers have had time to develop.

The type of rock in an area also affects soil formation. Some rocks do not weather as rapidly as other do. Rocks that do not break
down easily do not form soil rapidly. In some climates it takes along time for granite to break down. So soil formation from granite is
slow. But sandstone breaks easily and forms soil quickly.
DISCUSSION QUESTIOn

1. What process is responsible for each of the following observations or phenomena? Is the process a mechanical or chemical
change?
a. A board is sawn in half – Mech
b. A board is burned – Chem
c. A cave is formed when water seeps through a limestone formation – chem
d. Calcite is formed when mineral-rich water is released from a hot underground spring – chem
e. Meter-thick sheets of granite peel off a newly exposed pluton – chem
f. Rockfall is more common in mountains of the temperate region in the spring than in mid summer. – mech

4. what type of weathering would predominate on the following fictitious planets? Defend your answer

a. Planet X has a dense atmosphere composed of nitrogen , oxygen and water vapor with no carbon dioxide.

Chemical weathering changes rock composition, often transforming them into different chemical reactions when water interacts
with minerals. Chemical weathering is a gradual and ongoing process as the rock mineralogy adjusts to the environment near the
surface.

The rock’s original minerals develop new or secondary minerals. The oxidation and hydrolysis processes are most important in this.
Chemical weathering is enhanced by geological agents such as water and oxygen, as well as biological agents such as microbial and
plant-root metabolism acids.

Where does Chemical Weathering occur?

These chemical processes require water and occur faster at higher temperatures, so it is best to have warm, humid climates. The first
stage in soil production is chemical weathering (especially hydrolysis and oxidation).

b. biological weathering combines both mechanical and chemical weathering and is caused by plants or animals. As plant roots grow
deeper to find sources of water, they push through cracks in rocks, applying force to push them apart. As the roots grow, the cracks
become larger and break the rocks into smaller pieces. When plants die, they produce acid as they decompose, causing a chemical
reaction in the rock that further dissolves parts of rocks. Essentially plants can make their own soil in this way, allowing the
crumbling crack to be more hospitable to the next seed that lodges there. Animals, including humans, can also cause biological
weathering through frequent movement over a rock. This friction wears away bits of surface material.