COGNITION
Where Curiosity Meets Clarity
GEOGRAPHY: WEATHERING
Class 9 -- ICSE
Teacher: MADHUMITA SEN
COGNITION Where Curiosity Meets Clarity
SECTION A: Very Short Answer Questions
Q1. What is weathering?
Answer:
Weathering is the disintegration and decomposition of rocks at or near the Earth’s sur-
face.
Q2. Why is weathering described as an in-situ process?
Answer:
Because weathering takes place at the place of origin of rocks without transportation.
Q3. Name the three components of denudation.
Answer:
1. Weathering
2. Mass wasting
3. Erosion
Q4. Which process involves only disintegration?
Answer:
Weathering.
Q5. Which process involves only transportation of materials?
Answer:
Mass wasting.
Geography:weathering 1 7908570678
COGNITION Where Curiosity Meets Clarity
Q6. Name any two agents of erosion.
Answer:
Running water and wind.
SECTION B: Short Answer Questions
Q7. Distinguish between weathering and erosion.
Answer:
Weathering Erosion
Occurs in situ Involves movement
Local process Regional process
Only disintegration Disintegration and transportation
Q8. Why is weathering important for soil formation?
Answer:
Weathering breaks rocks into fine particles, which mix with organic matter to form soil.
Q9. State any two effects of weathering.
Answer:
1. Helps in soil formation
2. Modifies landscapes and landforms
Q10. Name the three main types of weathering.
Answer:
Mechanical, Chemical and Biological weathering.
Geography:weathering 2 7908570678
COGNITION Where Curiosity Meets Clarity
SECTION C: Mechanical (Physical) Weathering
Q11. What is mechanical weathering?
Answer:
Mechanical weathering is the breaking of rocks without any change in chemical com-
position.
Q12. Explain block disintegration.
Answer:
Alternate heating and cooling cause rocks to expand and contract, forming cracks along
joints. Over time, large blocks break away from the parent rock.
Q13. What is exfoliation?
Answer:
Exfoliation is a process in which outer layers of rock peel off like onion skins due to
repeated expansion and contraction.
Q14. Explain frost action.
Answer:
Water enters cracks in rocks and freezes at night. Since ice occupies more space, it
exerts pressure and breaks the rocks.
Q15. What is granular disintegration?
Answer:
Granular disintegration occurs when minerals expand unequally, causing the rock to
break into grains.
Geography:weathering 3 7908570678
COGNITION Where Curiosity Meets Clarity
SECTION D: Chemical Weathering
Q16. What is chemical weathering?
Answer:
Chemical weathering is the decomposition of rocks due to chemical reactions, altering
their composition.
Q17. Explain oxidation.
Answer:
Oxidation occurs when oxygen combines with minerals like iron, forming iron oxide
(rust), which weakens rocks.
Q18. What is carbonation?
Answer:
Rainwater mixed with carbon dioxide forms carbonic acid, which reacts with limestone
and dissolves it.
Q19. Explain hydration with an example.
Answer:
In hydration, minerals absorb water, expand and decompose. For example, feldspar
changes into kaolin.
Q20. What is solution?
Answer:
Solution is the process by which soluble minerals dissolve in water, especially in sedi-
mentary rocks.
Geography:weathering 4 7908570678
COGNITION Where Curiosity Meets Clarity
SECTION E: Biological Weathering
Q21. How do plants cause weathering?
Answer:
Roots grow into cracks, widen them and eventually break rocks apart.
Q22. How do animals contribute to weathering?
Answer:
Burrowing animals loosen soil and rocks, exposing them to weathering processes.
Q23. How do human beings act as agents of weathering?
Answer:
Construction, mining, road building and agriculture weaken and break rocks.
SECTION F: Weathering and Climate
Q24. Which type of weathering is dominant in hot deserts?
Answer:
Mechanical weathering.
Q25. Which weathering process is common in equatorial regions?
Answer:
Chemical weathering.
Geography:weathering 5 7908570678
COGNITION Where Curiosity Meets Clarity
Q26. Name the dominant weathering process in polar regions.
Answer:
Frost action (frost shattering).
SECTION G: Assertion--Reason Questions
Q27.
Assertion (A): Weathering is a static process.
Reason (R): Weathered material remains at the place of origin.
Answer:
Both A and R are true and R explains A.
Q28.
Assertion (A): Chemical weathering is more active in humid regions.
Reason (R): Water is essential for chemical reactions.
Answer:
Both A and R are true and R explains A.
Q29.
Assertion (A): Frost action occurs mainly in hot deserts.
Reason (R): Ice expands and exerts pressure.
Answer:
A is false, R is true.
Geography:weathering 6 7908570678
COGNITION Where Curiosity Meets Clarity
SECTION H: Case Study--Based Questions
Case Study 1
A geographer observes a rocky area where daytime temperatures are very high and
nights are extremely cool. Large cracks develop in rocks, and outer layers peel off over
time.
Q30. Identify the type of weathering occurring in this region.
Answer:
Mechanical weathering.
Q31. Name the specific processes responsible.
Answer:
Block disintegration and exfoliation.
Q32. Why do such processes occur in this region?
Answer:
Due to extreme temperature variation, causing expansion and contraction of rocks.
Case Study 2
In a limestone region receiving heavy rainfall, caves and underground passages are
formed over time.
Q33. Name the type of weathering involved.
Answer:
Chemical weathering.
Geography:weathering 7 7908570678
COGNITION Where Curiosity Meets Clarity
Q34. Identify the specific process responsible.
Answer:
Carbonation.
Q35. Explain how this process occurs.
Answer:
Rainwater mixed with carbon dioxide forms carbonic acid, which dissolves limestone.
SECTION I: Long Answer / Analytical Questions
Q36. Explain denudation and its components.
Answer:
Denudation refers to the overall lowering of land surface through weathering, mass
wasting and erosion. Weathering breaks rocks in situ, mass wasting moves material
downslope under gravity, and erosion transports material by natural agents.
Q37. Describe mechanical weathering with examples.
Answer:
Mechanical weathering includes block disintegration, exfoliation, frost action and gran-
ular disintegration, all of which break rocks physically without altering chemical com-
position.
Q38. Explain the role of climate in weathering.
Answer:
Climate determines the dominant type of weathering. Mechanical weathering domi-
nates in arid and cold regions, while chemical weathering is common in humid and
equatorial regions.
Geography:weathering 8 7908570678
COGNITION Where Curiosity Meets Clarity
Q39. ``Biological weathering is equally important as physical and chemical weath-
ering.'' Explain.
Answer:
Living organisms like plants, animals and humans actively break rocks, loosen soil and
expose rocks to further weathering, making biological weathering significant.
Geography:weathering 9 7908570678