Natural processes that break down rocks. | Weathering |
What are the three main types of weathering? | Mechanical weathering, chemical weathering, and biological weathering. |
The type of weathering where living organisms contribute to the breakdown of rocks. | Biological Weathering |
Provide an example of biological weathering. | Plant roots pushing cracks in rocks apart. |
The process of rock breakdown where the chemical composition remains unchanged, also known as physical weathering. | Mechanical Weathering |
What is the main type of mechanical weathering that affects coastlines? | Freeze-thaw weathering. |
A type of mechanical weathering where water fills a crack in a rock, freezes, expands, and causes the crack to widen and deepen. | Freeze-Thaw Weathering |
How does freeze-thaw weathering contribute to erosion on coastlines? | The process of freezing and melting widens cracks in rocks, leading to erosion over time. |
The process of rock breakdown where the chemical composition of the rock changes. | Chemical Weathering |
What can dissolve in rain to create carbonic acid in chemical weathering? | Carbon dioxide. |
Acid formed when carbon dioxide dissolves in rainwater, contributing to chemical weathering. | Carbonic Acid |
Which parts of the rock are dissolved by carbonic acid in rainfall during chemical weathering? | Parts of the rock made of calcium carbonate. |
Processes where large amounts of rock, soil, or other Earth materials move down a slope due to the influence of gravity. | Mass Movement |
What are the three main factors causing mass movements? | Weathering, erosion, and gravity. |
The point in a body or system around which its mass or weight is evenly distributed or balanced. | Centre of Gravity |
How can small changes over time make a cliff prone to mass movement? | Changes that shift the center of gravity of a cliff over the sea instead of over land can make it unstable and prone to mass movement. |
The large-scale movement of soil and rock down the slope of a hill or cliff. | Mass Movement |
What is mass movement? | The movement of soil and rock down a slope of a hill or cliff. |
A type of mass movement characterized by material moving down a slope in a curved manner. | Slumps |
How do slumps typically occur? | Material moves down a slope at a curve in a slump. |
A type of mass movement where cliff materials break and crumble down the cliff. | Rockfalls |
What is a rockfall? | It occurs when materials from a cliff break and crumble down the cliff. |
A type of mass movement where materials move down a slope in a straight line. | Slides |
What is a slide in the context of mass movement? | It is a type of mass movement where materials move down a slope in a straight line. |
The wearing away of rock or soil by natural forces such as wind, water, or ice. | Erosion |
What are the two main natural forces causing erosion mentioned in the context of coastal erosion? | Waves and wind. |
The process through which the land is worn away by natural forces at the coast, often due to the action of waves and currents. | Coastal Erosion |
What role does the sea play in coastal erosion, and how does its energy contribute to erosion? | The sea builds up a lot of energy, and its waves, carrying material, can move quickly and exert force, causing erosion to happen faster. |
A type of erosion where pieces of material, picked up by waves, hit or scrape against the sea bed or the side of a cliff, wearing it away. | Abrasion |
How does abrasion contribute to erosion? | The material carried by waves acts like sandpaper, wearing away the sea bed or cliff over time. |
The process where the force of waves hitting against a cliff face causes the rock to break off. | Hydraulic Action |
What is the primary force behind hydraulic action? | The force of waves hitting against the cliff face. |
The process where different bits of material carried by waves in seawater hit against each other, causing them to break apart and become smaller and more rounded. | Attrition |
What is the result of attrition in coastal erosion? | The fragments become smaller and more rounded as they break apart. |
The process in coastal erosion where weak acids in seawater dissolve soluble rocks like chalk and limestone. | Solution |
What type of rocks are primarily affected by the solution process in coastal erosion? | Soluble rocks like chalk and limestone are primarily affected by the solution process. |