What is the difference between weathering and erosion

What is the difference between weathering and erosion? Ms. Jordan Earth Science

Weathering defined Weathering is the process of decomposing, breaking up, or changing the rocks. Weathering can be either mechanical and/or chemical. Chemical weathering involves chemical changes changing the chemical structure or the rock. Mechanical weathering is the process of breaking a large rock into smaller pieces without changing the minerals in the rock.

Chemical weathering can be caused by: Carbon dioxide Oxygen Water Acids

Mechanical weathering may be caused by: Frost Ice Plant roots Running water Heat from the sun

So how does this differ from erosion? Once weathering has broken pieces of rock into smaller pieces, these small rock pieces such as pebbles, sand, and/or soil is moved by natural forces such as wind this is called EROSION.

What you NEED to know! If a rock is changed or broken and stays where it is, this is WEATHERING If the pieces of weathered rock are moved away, then this is called EROSION Now lets put some of this knowledge to use…

Chemical, mechanical, or erosion?

Chemical, mechanical, or erosion? Chemical!

Chemical, mechanical, or erosion?

Chemical, mechanical, or erosion? Wind erosion of sand dunes!

Chemical, mechanical, or erosion?

Chemical, mechanical, or erosion? Mechanical!

Chemical, mechanical, or erosion?

Chemical, mechanical, or erosion? Chemical weathering causing minerals in the rocks dissolving

Chemical, mechanical, or erosion?

Chemical, mechanical, or erosion? Mechanical weathering caused by frost wedging

Chemical, mechanical, or erosion?

Chemical, mechanical, or erosion? Chemical weathering

Chemical, mechanical, or erosion?

Chemical, mechanical, or erosion? Mechanical weathering called exfoliation causing the rocks to break into layers

What I need you to know… First you all are capable of making good grades, you just have to do this thing called studying. Next you need to read pages 164 -175 in your textbooks! Lastly, you will have a test on this on Tuesday, and Monday we will be doing a project lab. One last note: Please be respectful, not only to me, but to your peers as well. I have not been calling you out on this, however I will be contacting home more often… So please be respectful! Now we will be viewing a Bill Nye Video on Weathering and Erosion, but pay attention there may be a quiz…Wink, Wink!