Chapter 3 - Landforms - Review and Discussion Questions - Page 165: 4

Weathering is the breakdown or dissolution of rocks and minerals on the Earth's surface. Weathering agents include water, ice, acids, salts, plants, animals, and temperature fluctuations. Both chemical and mechanical weathering are natural processes that degrade rocks. Their goals may be the same, but their methods are not. Chemical weathering necessitates chemical reactions with minerals within the rock, resulting in changes in rock composition. Because of the reaction, this technique may occasionally create a different type of product. Mechanical weathering is simply the physical breaking down of rocks into smaller particles. Mechanical weathering disintegrates rocks using nature's physical pressures without affecting the physical composition of the rocks. The weathering process is heavily influenced by the weather. Mechanical weathering is favored by cold temperatures, but chemical weathering is favored by warm temperatures. Once the weathering process is complete, the remaining components will be eroded and dispersed by wind or water.

Weathering is the breakdown or dissolution of rocks and minerals on the Earth's surface. Weathering agents include water, ice, acids, salts, plants, animals, and temperature fluctuations. Both chemical and mechanical weathering are natural processes that degrade rocks. Their goals may be the same, but their methods are not. Chemical weathering necessitates chemical reactions with minerals within the rock, resulting in changes in rock composition. Because of the reaction, this technique may occasionally create a different type of product. Mechanical weathering is simply the physical breaking down of rocks into smaller particles. Mechanical weathering disintegrates rocks using nature's physical pressures without affecting the physical composition of the rocks. The weathering process is heavily influenced by the weather. Mechanical weathering is favored by cold temperatures, but chemical weathering is favored by warm temperatures. Once the weathering process is complete, the remaining components will be eroded and dispersed by wind or water.