Weathering: Physical vs Chemical

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Definition of Weathering

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A physical or chemical process that changes Earth's surface over time.

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Types of Weathering

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Physical and Chemical

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Causes of Physical Weathering

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Ice wedging, abrasion, plants & Animals

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Chemical Weathering

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changes the composition of the rock, usually by dissolving parts of the rock by acid or water

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Physical weathering by plants

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Plants apply pressure to rocks as they grow,. Roots get longer and wider and create wider and wider cracks in rock that can break.

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Oxidation

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A type of chemical weathering because of a reaction of minerals in the rock with oxygen, forming rust

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Ice Wedging

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Water freezes in cracks, expands, and breaks the rock

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Abrasion

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Grinding away of rock by rubbing and scraping. usually caused by wind and water.

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Weathering from Animals

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Burrowing animals such as rabbits, moles and worms, disturb and break rocks

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Physical Weathering

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breakdown of rocks without changing the chemical composition of the rock.