In the process of hydration, the entire water molecule is added to the mineral structure, stretching the crystal lattice. Which type of weathering would this process describe: physical or chemical? Why?

What will be an ideal response?


Answer: Hydration involves changing the chemical composition of the mineral by adding the entire water molecule. This is an example of chemical weathering.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

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Tropical coral reefs support a very diverse and highly populated community, including calcareous algae whose

secretions help "cement" the coral reef together. In this community, the coral reef structure is the algae's ____________ and the algae's job of cementation is its ____________. Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

During the 1900s, the United States saw a transition from coal to natural gas furnaces, and today, few homes are directly heated with coal. All of the following are benefits of this transition except ________

A) a switch to a fuel that is much more abundant B) less truck traffic bringing fuel to homes C) a decrease in the release of greenhouse gases D) a decrease in acid precipitation

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

If you began a trip at 60° west, 20° north and traveled 120° farther west and 50° south, your new position would be

A) the International Dateline at 70° north latitude. B) the International Dateline at 30° south latitude. C) the Greenwich meridian at 70° north latitude. D) the Greenwich meridian at 30° south latitude. E) 30° north, 120° west.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

Water vapor (H2O) has a longer residence time in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide (CO2 )

Indicate whether the statement is true or false

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences