Rates of Weathering

Vocabulary flashcards covering the primary factors that influence the rates and types of rock weathering, including surface area, mineral composition, climate conditions, and atmospheric pollution.

Surface Area

The exposed exterior of a rock where weathering occurs; breaking rock into smaller pieces increases this measurement and accelerates the rate of weathering.

Mineral Composition

The specific mineral makeup of a rock that dictates its resistance or susceptibility to chemical and physical breakdown.

Granite

A rock type that exhibits high resistance to both chemical and physical weathering.

Limestone

A rock type that is highly susceptible to chemical weathering.

Warm, Wet Climate

A climatic environment characterized by elevated temperatures and high humidity that strongly favors chemical weathering.

Cold, Wet Climate

A climatic environment that favors mechanical (physical) weathering, particularly through frost action.

Dry Climate

An arid or semi-arid climate that experiences very slight overall weathering, with mechanical weathering being more prominent than chemical weathering.

Acid Rain

Precipitation produced when atmospheric $CO_2$ and other gases from the combustion of fossil fuels dissolve in rainwater, causing minerals and rocks to dissolve faster.

Atmospheric Pollution

Airborne emissions, including carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) released from burning fossil fuels such as oil, that accelerate rates of chemical weathering.

Weathering Regions Graph

A diagram mapping average temperature ($^\text{o}\text{C}$) against annual rainfall ($\text{cm}$) to show the dominant weathering type—ranging from strong chemical weathering in wet, warm conditions to strong physical weathering in cold regions.