coasts
what is chemical weathering?
the breakdown of rocks and minerals through chemical reactions, changing their composition and weakening them.
what is the order of chemical weathering?
1. carbon dioxide mixes with rainwater to create a weak acid
2. the weak acid rain attacks the rocks
3. limestone, chalk or marble is dissolved or weakened
4. the rocks are worn away or broken up
what is biological weathering?
the breakdown of rocks by the actions of living organisms
what is the order of biological weathering?
1. animals dig under rocks
2. plants grow into the cracks in the rocks
3. rocks are undercut and cracks are widened
4. rocks loosened and broken up
5. rocks collapse or fall apart
what are the 4 types of erosion?
Hydraulic action - this is the sheer power of the waves as they smash against the cliff. air becomes trapped in the cracks in the rock and causes the rock to break apart.
abrasion - this is when pebbles grind along a rock platform, much like sandpaper. overtime the rock becomes smooth.
attrition - this is when the rocks that the sea is carrying knock against eachother. they break apart to become smaller and more rounded.
solution - this is when sea water dissolves certain types of rock. in the UK, chalk and limestone cliffs are prone to this type of erosion.
what are the 4 types of transportation?
solution
suspention
saltation
traction
what is solution (transportation)?
when minerals in rocks like chalk and limstone are dissolved in sea water and then carried in solution. the load is not visible.
what is suspention (transportation)?
small particles such as silts and clays are suspended in the flow of water.
what is saltation (transportation)?
when small particles of shingle or large sand grains are bounced along the sea bed.
what is traction (transportation)?
where pebbles and larger material are rolled along the sea bed.
what are the 4 types of erosion?
hydrolic action
abrasion
attrition
solution
what is hydrolic action (erosion)?
this is the sheer power of the waves as they smash against the cliff. air becomes trapped in the cracks in the rock and causes the rock to bresk apart.