Mechanical and Chemical Weathering

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What is weathering?

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Weathering is the process that breaks down rocks into smaller pieces.

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What are the two main types of weathering?

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Mechanical weathering and chemical weathering.

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How does mechanical weathering occur?

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Mechanical weathering occurs when physical forces break rocks apart without changing their chemical composition.

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What is chemical weathering?

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Chemical weathering involves the chemical alteration of minerals in rocks, leading to their breakdown.

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What role do plants play in weathering?

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Plants weather rocks when their roots grow into cracks and expand, breaking the rocks apart.

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What is ice wedging?

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Ice wedging is a type of mechanical weathering where water freezes in cracks of rocks, expands, and breaks the rocks apart.

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What is oxidation in the context of weathering?

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Oxidation is a chemical weathering process where oxygen reacts with minerals, often leading to rusting in rocks.

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What is acid rain?

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Acid rain is rain that has been made acidic by pollutants, which can cause chemical weathering of rocks.

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How does temperature affect weathering?

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Temperature changes can cause rocks to expand and contract, leading to mechanical weathering.

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What is the effect of water on weathering?

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Water can cause both mechanical and chemical weathering by freezing in cracks or reacting with minerals.