4th Grade Science : Weather and Erosion Rate

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for 4th Grade Science

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Weather And Erosion Rate

Steven and his sister Sasha are making observations about erosion and the rate of movement of materials. They are looking at different bodies of water and how small rocks are being moved. Sasha took a piece of broken rock about 2 cm and threw it into each body of water to observe what happened. They followed the material if it moved to get a distance of travel. They recorded the data below.

Screen shot 2020 06 22 at 11.23.54 am

What observations can be made regarding the bodies of water and distance eroded materials travel?

Possible Answers:

A slower flow of water can carry more eroded material than a faster flow of water.

A faster flow of water is not able to carry eroded material as far as a slower flow of water.

A slower flow of water is not able to carry eroded material as far as a faster flow of water.

Fast-moving and slow-moving flows of water carry the same amount of eroded materials the same distance.

Correct answer:

A slower flow of water is not able to carry eroded material as far as a faster flow of water.

Explanation:

Sasha and Steven are making observations about how different bodies of water move eroded materials. Rivers are a fast-moving flow of water, lakes and ponds are primarily standing water, and streams are slow-moving bodies of water. Based on the data, they measured and observed the river moved the materials the farthest distance. A connection can be made about the rate of running water and how materials will be eroded or carried away. The faster a body of water moves, the further and faster sediment and eroded materials will move.

Example Question #12 : Weather And Erosion Rate

What does the term "weathering" mean? Example: Gabriel studied the effects of weathering on the Grand Canyon by taking daily measurements during his summer internship.

Possible Answers:

Wear away or change the appearance or texture of something by prolonged exposure to wind, water, ice, and vegetation

The state of the atmosphere at a place and time as regards heat, dryness, sunshine, wind, rain, etc.

Movement something that is broken by prolonged exposure to wind, water, ice, and vegetation to a new place

Expressing a doubt or choice between alternatives

Correct answer:

Wear away or change the appearance or texture of something by prolonged exposure to wind, water, ice, and vegetation

Explanation:

Weathering and erosion are usually two terms used simultaneously and together, but each has its independent definition and usage. Weathering used in this context means the wearing away or changing the appearance and texture of something that is being worn away and broken down by the wind, water, ice, and vegetation. Water seeps into the rocks and freezes time after time, which slowly breaks the rock into pieces, plant roots grow through cliffsides and rocks, and the wind and rain batter shorelines with tiny fragments of sediments and water drops. All of these actions slowly break the rocks, shorelines, and cliff faces down.

Example Question #11 : Weather And Erosion Rate

What does the term "erosion" mean in the context provided?? Example: Gabriel studied the process of erosion on the coast of North Carolina by comparing aerial maps and measurements over the last 100 years.

Possible Answers:

come safely through a storm

The removal of a person's authority, rights, or confidence

Breaking down of rocks, soil, and minerals as well as wood and artificial materials by the Sun

The process by which the surface of the earth is worn away and moved by the action of water, vegetation, winds, and ice

Correct answer:

The process by which the surface of the earth is worn away and moved by the action of water, vegetation, winds, and ice

Explanation:

Weathering and erosion are usually heard used together, but each has its definition and essential part of shaping our landscapes over time. Erosion is the process by which the surface of the earth is worn away and moved by the action of water, vegetation, winds, and ice. As fragments of rock or debris are broken off through the process of weathering, the materials are moved and worn away by erosion. A river will carry sediment downstream and move it to new locations as the process of weathering continues.

Example Question #14 : Weather And Erosion Rate

What type of erosion would occur most frequently in the Mohave Desert?

Possible Answers:

Water erosion

Vegetation erosion

Wind erosion

Glacial erosion

Correct answer:

Wind erosion

Explanation:

The type of erosion most likely to occur in the Mohave Desert would be wind erosion. The desert would not experience glacial erosion because there are no frozen blocks of ice. In the desert, there is limited water and vegetation, so neither of those would be likely to cause erosion. The desert does experience high winds and sandstorms, which would cause movement of the materials and sediment in the area.

Example Question #15 : Weather And Erosion Rate

Which of these is an example of erosion?

Possible Answers:

Wind blowing away sediment

Water sitting in a pond

Sunshine on a mountain

Rain breaking down rock

Correct answer:

Wind blowing away sediment

Explanation:

Erosion is the movement of materials and broken down debris from the process of weathering. The correct answer choice must address the movement of materials, not just the breaking down of materials. "Wind blowing away sediment" is the right answer because it demonstrates the movement of sediment by the wind; sediment is material that settles in water or on shorelines, so this is a reasonable type of debris that would be picked up and moved.

Example Question #12 : Weather And Erosion Rate

The picture below shows a process that happens when rocks and soil are moved from one place to another.

Screen shot 2020 09 11 at 10.21.48 am

What is the name of this process?

Possible Answers:

Pollination

Fertilization

Erosion

Weathering

Correct answer:

Erosion

Explanation:

Weathering and erosion are usually two terms used simultaneously and together, but each has its independent definition and usage. Weathering used in this context means the wearing away or changing the appearance and texture of something that is being worn away and broken down by the wind, water, ice, and vegetation. Erosion is the process by which the surface of the earth is worn away and moved by the action of water, vegetation, winds, and ice. As fragments of rock or debris are broken off through the process of weathering, the materials are moved and worn away by erosion. A river will carry sediment downstream and move it to new locations as the process of weathering continues. The question has the key phrase "moved from one place to another," which lets readers know movement is taking place, which is the process of erosion.

Example Question #5 : Observe Effects Of Weathering On Rate Of Erosion

True or False: Constant strong winds could accelerate the rate of erosion.

Possible Answers:

False

True

Correct answer:

True

Explanation:

Erosion is the process by which the surface of the earth is worn away and moved by the action of water, vegetation, winds, and ice. As fragments of rock or debris are broken off through the process of weathering, the materials are moved and worn away by erosion. Constant strong winds could speed up the process of erosion compared to a soft breeze blowing occasionally.

Example Question #13 : Weather And Erosion Rate

Steven and his sister Sasha are making observations about erosion and the rate of movement of materials. They are looking at different bodies of water and how small rocks are being moved. Sasha took a piece of broken rock about 2 cm and threw it into each body of water to observe what happened. They followed the material if it moved to get a distance of travel. They recorded the data below.

Screen shot 2020 09 11 at 10.44.12 am

Which body of water likely has the greatest effect on the rate of erosion?

Possible Answers:

A river

A stream

A lake

A pond

Correct answer:

A river

Explanation:

Sasha and Steven are making observations about how different bodies of water move eroded materials. Rivers are a fast-moving flow of water, lakes, and ponds are primarily standing water, and streams are slow-moving bodies of water. Based on the data, they measured and observed the river moved the materials the farthest distance. A connection can be made about the rate of running water and how materials will be eroded or carried away. The faster a body of water moves, the further and faster sediment and eroded materials will move.

Example Question #6 : Observe Effects Of Weathering On Rate Of Erosion

Erosion takes place when rock or sediment is

Possible Answers:

transported to a new location.

changed into something new.

dropped from a high ledge.

broken into pieces.

Correct answer:

transported to a new location.

Explanation:

Erosion is the process by which the surface of the earth is worn away and moved by the action of water, vegetation, winds, and ice. As fragments of rock or debris are broken off through the process of weathering, the materials are moved and worn away by erosion. A river will carry sediment downstream and move it to new locations as the process of weathering continues.

Example Question #14 : Weather And Erosion Rate

Drake notices that a sidewalk near his house is crumbling and he sees tree roots breaking through the concrete. This is an example of

Possible Answers:

human-made changes.

germination.

erosion.

weathering.

Correct answer:

weathering.

Explanation:

Weathering and erosion are usually two terms used simultaneously and together, but each has its independent definition and usage. Weathering used in this context means the wearing away or changing the appearance and texture of something that is being worn away and broken down by the wind, water, ice, and vegetation. Water seeps into the rocks and freezes time after time, which slowly breaks the rock into pieces, plant roots grow through cliffsides and rocks, and the wind and rain batter shorelines with tiny fragments of sediments and water drops. All of these actions slowly break the rocks, shorelines, and cliff faces down. This is an example of plant roots breaking through a material, which is weathering.

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