Question

1. ___ speeds up chemical weathering.
2. weathering happens ____ in hot, wet (humid) climates.
3. weathering occurs very slowly in __ and __ climates.

. without ____ changes, ice wedging cannot occur
in very __ and __ areas, there is little weathering.
most weathering occurs on ____ of rocks and minerals
the ____ surface area a rock has, the quicker it will weather.
some minerals resist weathering. ____ is a mineral that weathers slowly.
rocks made up of minerals such as feldspar, ____, and iron, weather more quickly.

Explanation:

1. Water speeds up chemical weathering as it can dissolve minerals and participate in chemical reactions.
2. Weathering happens faster in hot, wet (humid) climates because high - temperature and abundant water enhance chemical and biological processes.
3. Weathering occurs very slowly in cold and dry climates due to lack of water for chemical reactions and low biological activity.
4. Without temperature changes, ice wedging cannot occur because ice wedging depends on water freezing and thawing.
5. In very cold and dry areas, there is little weathering for the reasons mentioned above.
6. Most weathering occurs on the surface of rocks and minerals as they are in contact with air, water, and biological agents.
7. The larger the surface area a rock has, the quicker it will weather as more surface is available for weathering agents to act on.
8. Quartz is a mineral that weathers slowly due to its stable chemical structure.
9. Rocks made up of minerals such as feldspar, mica, and iron, weather more quickly as these minerals are more reactive.

Answer:

1. Water
2. faster
3. cold; dry
4. temperature
5. cold; dry
6. the surface
7. larger
8. Quartz
9. mica