8. Weathering

• The process of weathering is the breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces.
• Chemical weathering occurs when chemicals react with minerals in rocks, causing them to break apart.
• Weathering can be caused by physical, chemical, or biological factors.
• Biological weathering refers to the action of living organisms on rocks, including plant roots that grow into cracks and expand, and burrowing animals like moles and rabbits.
• Erosion is the movement of soil particles by wind, water, ice, or gravity.
• Physical weathering involves the breaking up of rocks due to changes in temperature or pressure.
• Erosional agents include running water (streams), wind-blown sand or gravel (aeolian transport), ice (glacial transport), waves (marine transport), and gravity (mass wasting).
• Frost wedging is a type of physical weathering where water seeps into rock crevices during freezing temperatures, expanding as it turns to ice and splitting the rock.
• Acid rain is formed from sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides released into the atmosphere through industrial processes and burning fossil fuels.
• The pH level of rainwater can be affected by pollution, resulting in more acidic rainfall.
• Chemical weathering occurs when chemicals react with minerals in rocks, causing them to break down.
• The rate of erosion depends on the type of rock being eroded, the strength of the agent, and the steepness of the slope.
• Carbonation is a form of chemical weathering that occurs when carbonic acid reacts with calcium carbonate in limestone, forming soluble bicarbonates.
• Chemical weathering occurs when chemical reactions break down minerals within rocks.