Think your rocks are permanent? Think again! Earth's surface is... Show more
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Karen Gella
12/9/2025
Earth Science
EXOGENIC PROCESSES
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Dec 9, 2025
•
Understanding Exogenic Processes in Earth Science
Karen Gella
@cayennexxx
1 / 3
Gaseous Waste and Exogenic Processes
Before diving into Earth's surface changes, it's worth noting that human activities like energy production create gaseous wastes that pollute our air. The Clean Air Act of 1999 (Republic Act 8749) helps manage this pollution by focusing on prevention rather than just cleanup.
Exogenic processes are the real stars here - these are forces that work on or above Earth's surface to shape our planet. Unlike internal forces, these external processes create the landforms we see every day.
The first major process is weathering, which breaks rocks into smaller pieces. This happens through mechanical weathering (physical breakdown) or chemical weathering (changing the rock's composition). Think of it as nature's way of recycling!
Mechanical weathering includes frost wedging (water freezing in cracks), pressure-release (buried rocks expanding when exposed), and thermal expansion (rocks cracking from temperature changes). Your sidewalk cracking in summer heat? That's thermal expansion in action!
Quick Tip: Remember that mechanical weathering changes rock size but not its chemical makeup - like breaking a cookie into crumbs.
Chemical Weathering and Erosion
Chemical weathering actually changes what rocks are made of through chemical reactions. Dissolution dissolves rocks in water (like salt dissolving), hydrolysis creates new minerals with water, and oxidation causes rocks to rust and decompose.
Once rocks are weathered, erosion kicks in to transport those broken pieces elsewhere. Running water is the champion of erosion - it's everywhere and never stops moving sediment around.
Glaciers create dramatic erosion through two methods: plucking (lifting rock blocks into the ice) and abrasion (grinding surfaces smooth like giant sandpaper). These slow-moving ice rivers carve out spectacular valleys and mountains.
The next step is mass wasting - basically, gravity pulling weathered material downhill. Water makes this worse by reducing friction between particles and adding weight. Over-steepened slopes, vegetation removal, and earthquakes all trigger dangerous mass movements.
Real World Connection: Ever wonder why landslides happen after heavy rains? Water fills the spaces between soil particles, making everything slippery and heavy!
Mass Wasting and Sedimentation
Mass wasting is gravity's way of moving rocks and soil downhill after weathering loosens them up. Several factors control when and how this happens, and understanding them can literally save lives.
Water is the biggest troublemaker - it destroys the bonds holding particles together and makes everything heavier. Over-steepened slopes become unstable and prone to sliding, while vegetation removal eliminates the root systems that normally hold soil together.
Earthquakes can instantly trigger massive landslides by shaking loose enormous amounts of material. This is why earthquake-prone areas often face double disasters - the quake itself plus subsequent mass movements.
Finally, sedimentation occurs when moving water slows down and deposits all the sediment it's been carrying. This natural settling process happens in still water as gravity pulls heavier particles to the bottom, forming layers over time.
These interconnected processes work together in an endless cycle - weathering breaks rocks down, erosion moves the pieces, mass wasting helps transport them downhill, and sedimentation deposits them in new locations where the cycle begins again.
Study Hack: Think of these processes as a assembly line: weathering → erosion → mass wasting → sedimentation. Each step prepares material for the next!
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Our AI companion is specifically built for the needs of students. Based on the millions of content pieces we have on the platform we can provide truly meaningful and relevant answers to students. But its not only about answers, the companion is even more about guiding students through their daily learning challenges, with personalised study plans, quizzes or content pieces in the chat and 100% personalisation based on the students skills and developments.
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You can download the app in the Google Play Store and in the Apple App Store.
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
Understanding Exogenic Processes in Earth Science
Karen Gella
@cayennexxx
Think your rocks are permanent? Think again! Earth's surface is constantly changing through exogenic processes- natural forces that break down, move, and reshape everything around us. Understanding these processes helps explain why mountains crumble, valleys form, and landscapes transform... Show more
Gaseous Waste and Exogenic Processes
Before diving into Earth's surface changes, it's worth noting that human activities like energy production create gaseous wastes that pollute our air. The Clean Air Act of 1999 (Republic Act 8749) helps manage this pollution by focusing on prevention rather than just cleanup.
Exogenic processes are the real stars here - these are forces that work on or above Earth's surface to shape our planet. Unlike internal forces, these external processes create the landforms we see every day.
The first major process is weathering, which breaks rocks into smaller pieces. This happens through mechanical weathering (physical breakdown) or chemical weathering (changing the rock's composition). Think of it as nature's way of recycling!
Mechanical weathering includes frost wedging (water freezing in cracks), pressure-release (buried rocks expanding when exposed), and thermal expansion (rocks cracking from temperature changes). Your sidewalk cracking in summer heat? That's thermal expansion in action!
Quick Tip: Remember that mechanical weathering changes rock size but not its chemical makeup - like breaking a cookie into crumbs.
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Chemical Weathering and Erosion
Chemical weathering actually changes what rocks are made of through chemical reactions. Dissolution dissolves rocks in water (like salt dissolving), hydrolysis creates new minerals with water, and oxidation causes rocks to rust and decompose.
Once rocks are weathered, erosion kicks in to transport those broken pieces elsewhere. Running water is the champion of erosion - it's everywhere and never stops moving sediment around.
Glaciers create dramatic erosion through two methods: plucking (lifting rock blocks into the ice) and abrasion (grinding surfaces smooth like giant sandpaper). These slow-moving ice rivers carve out spectacular valleys and mountains.
The next step is mass wasting - basically, gravity pulling weathered material downhill. Water makes this worse by reducing friction between particles and adding weight. Over-steepened slopes, vegetation removal, and earthquakes all trigger dangerous mass movements.
Real World Connection: Ever wonder why landslides happen after heavy rains? Water fills the spaces between soil particles, making everything slippery and heavy!
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Mass Wasting and Sedimentation
Mass wasting is gravity's way of moving rocks and soil downhill after weathering loosens them up. Several factors control when and how this happens, and understanding them can literally save lives.
Water is the biggest troublemaker - it destroys the bonds holding particles together and makes everything heavier. Over-steepened slopes become unstable and prone to sliding, while vegetation removal eliminates the root systems that normally hold soil together.
Earthquakes can instantly trigger massive landslides by shaking loose enormous amounts of material. This is why earthquake-prone areas often face double disasters - the quake itself plus subsequent mass movements.
Finally, sedimentation occurs when moving water slows down and deposits all the sediment it's been carrying. This natural settling process happens in still water as gravity pulls heavier particles to the bottom, forming layers over time.
These interconnected processes work together in an endless cycle - weathering breaks rocks down, erosion moves the pieces, mass wasting helps transport them downhill, and sedimentation deposits them in new locations where the cycle begins again.
Study Hack: Think of these processes as a assembly line: weathering → erosion → mass wasting → sedimentation. Each step prepares material for the next!
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI companion is specifically built for the needs of students. Based on the millions of content pieces we have on the platform we can provide truly meaningful and relevant answers to students. But its not only about answers, the companion is even more about guiding students through their daily learning challenges, with personalised study plans, quizzes or content pieces in the chat and 100% personalisation based on the students skills and developments.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app in the Google Play Store and in the Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user