Name___________________________________ Date ___________ Section ________

Periodic 3 Study Guide-6th Grade Science

Chapter 3 Section 1-3;Earths Changing Surface
Vocabulary/concepts
Acid rain-

Abrasion-

Decomposers-

Humus-

O Horizon-

Identify the three types of rocks in soil-

Rusting-

Runoff-

Stalactites-

Floodplains-

Sand dunes-

What happens as a result of wind erosion?

MoraineDelta-

How do sand, clay, and loam soil effect plant growth?

Mechanical weathering agents-

Chemical weathering agents-

Do size, shape, and location of sand dunes change over time?

How does temperature changes in a dessert (day vs night) effect

weathering?

Describe the difference between sandy and clay soil-

Describe crop rotation-

Name_________________

Key ____

Date ___________ Section_______

Periodic 3 Study Guide-6th Grade Science

Chapter 3 Section 1-3;Earths Changing Surface
Vocabulary/concepts
Acid rain- increase weathering worldwide. Sulfuric acid in rain
water.Chemical

Abrasion- Mechanical weathering breaking rocks. Scrapping away like

sandblasting

Decomposers- break down organic matter in soil

Humus- organic matter in soil

O Horizon-composed mostly of organic matter like leaf litter

Identify the three types of rocks in soil-sand, clay, and silt/hummus/loam

Rusting-chemical. When iron is exposed to oxygen and water

Runoff-water flowing over earths surface

Stalactites-water (with calcite) drips from ceiling. Like an icicle.

Floodplains- fertile soil left over from flooding around water. Like Nile or
Miss. River

Sand dunes- form (like in deserts) from wind erosion and deposition

What happens as a result of wind erosion? Drawback-Stripping land of

topsoil

Moraine- formed by glacial deposition. Piled up as a result of glacier slowly

moving

Delta- fan-shaped deposition at the mouth of a river

How do sand, clay, and loam soil effect plant growth?

Good mixture of all three (good soil) will allow plants to grow. If not
good soil, does not grow
Mechanical weathering agentsPressure, temperature, organic activity, frost/ice, abrasion

Chemical weathering agentsCarbonic acid, rusting water, acid rain

Do size, shape, and location of sand dunes change over time?

Yes, wind and wave erosion/deposition changes the land

How does temperature changes in a dessert (day vs night) effect

weathering?
Break rocks by expanding and contracting in heat/cold
Frost/ice-forms at night and evaporates by day

Describe the difference between sandy and clay soilPore size, density, air/water and nutrient levels,

Describe crop rotationRotate crops grow to preserve nutrients (prevent nutrient

depletion)

Periodic 3 Term 1 Tutoring Concept Sheet

Name _________

Chapter3 Sections 1-3; Weathering, Soil, Erosion/Deposition

1) Textbook p. 97 Question B (Mechanical/Chemical Weathering table).

Done in class
2) How does temperature weather rocks in the dessert?

3) Do sand dunes always stay the same over time? Explain.

4) What are the rocks/particles that make up soil?

5) Can you interpret the graph on plant growth used in class? Why did
some plants from the lab grow while others died (soil)?

6) Why do farmers rotate crops?

7) How do plants like grass prevent wind erosion?

Periodic 3 Term 1 Tutoring Concept Sheet

Name _____

Key___

Chapter3 Sections 1-3; Weathering, Soil, Erosion/Deposition

1) Textbook p. 97 Question B (Mechanical/Chemical Weathering table).
Done in class and answers provided. Textbook p. 69-73
2) How does temperature weather rocks in the dessert?
Changes in temperature (hot day and cold nights) weather: frost/ ice-evaporation
or rocks expand and contract when temp changes p. 70
3) Do sand dunes always stay the same over time? Explain.
No. wind erosion and deposition can change the shape, size, or location of sand
p. 85
4) What are the rocks/particles that make up soil?
Sand, clay, and silt/loam/humus. P. 79
5) Can you interpret the graph on plant growth used in class? Why did some plants from
the lab grow while others died (soil)?
Too much of one or more (sand, loam/silt/humus, and clay) For example, too much
sand water ran right through, too much clay there were no pours for water and
air. Plants that grew has a balance of the three. Good soil with right size pours,
water, and air for roots.
p. 80 lab and p. 79 readings.

6) Why do farmers rotate crops?

p. 82 prevents nutrient depletion (good nutrients out of the soil). For example,
grow corn in a field for a couple years and with to pumpkins for a couple years.
This prevents all minerals and soil resources from being used. Also helps with
disease and pest control.

7) How do plants like grass prevent wind erosion?

p. 91 Plants like grass prevent erosion by protecting shorelines and

coastal areas. Roots and grass keep soil from eroding (moving somewhere
else) preserving beautiful areas, habitat for species and ecosystems.