Soil &’ Weathering

What are the two main types of weathering?

Mechanical Weathering and Chemical Weathering

What is mechanical weathering?

The process of breaking down rocks without changing their chemical composition.

Name three processes involved in mechanical weathering.

Unloading, Freezing and Thawing, Growth of Crystals

What is chemical weathering?

The process that alters the chemical composition of rocks.

List two processes involved in chemical weathering.

Oxidation-Reduction and Hydrolysis

What are the controls of weathering?

Parent material, Climate, Vegetation, Topography, Time

What is the effect of freezing and thawing in mechanical weathering?

It causes rocks to crack and break apart due to the expansion of water when it freezes.

What role does organic activity play in mechanical weathering?

Roots of plants can grow into cracks in rocks, causing them to break apart.

What is exfoliation in the context of mechanical weathering?

The process where outer layers of rock peel away due to pressure release.