answersLogoWhite

0

Physical. As water enters the cracks and crevices and subsequently freezes due to low temperatures it expands and splits the rock. Sometimes you can actually hear that happen in desert canyons or playas; it makes a loud pop.

User Avatar

Wiki User

7y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

Ice wedging is a form of chemical weathering.?

Ice wedging is actually a physical weathering process, not chemical. It occurs when water seeps into cracks in rocks, freezes, expands, and causes the rock to break apart over time.


Is ice wedging physical weathering or chemical weathering?

Ice wedging is physical weathering. As water freezes it grows, so when water flows into cracks or holes and then freezes it causes the water to expand, which brakes apart whatever it seeped into.


What type of weathering can ice wedging cause?

The type of weathering that causes Ice Wedging is Mechanical/ Physical Weathering.


What causes physical weathering but not chemical weathering?

Physical weathering is caused by mechanical forces such as temperature changes, frost wedging, and abrasion, while chemical weathering involves the breakdown of rock through chemical reactions like oxidation and hydrolysis. Physical weathering does not change the chemical composition of the rock, whereas chemical weathering alters the mineral structure.


Is frost wedging chemical weathering?

No, frost wedging is a physical weathering process, not a chemical one. It occurs when water seeps into rocks, freezes, and expands, leading to cracks and fractures in the rock. This repeated freeze-thaw cycle causes the rock to break apart over time.


What are the causes of physicalmechanical weathering and chemical weathering?

Physical or mechanical weathering is caused by processes like frost wedging, root wedging, and abrasion, where physical forces break down rocks into smaller pieces. Chemical weathering, on the other hand, is caused by chemical reactions between rock minerals and substances in water or in the atmosphere, leading to the alteration or dissolution of the rock. Temperature changes, presence of water, oxygen, and acids are common factors that contribute to chemical weathering.


Is the wedging tree roots along natural joints in granite a chemical or mechanical?

Wedging tree roots along natural joints in granite is a mechanical weathering process. The roots grow into the cracks and crevices, exerting pressure as they expand, which eventually causes the rock to break apart. This process is physical rather than involving any chemical reactions.


Is root wedging a form of chemical weathering?

Root wedging is a form of mechanical weathering, not chemical weathering. It occurs when tree roots grow into cracks in rocks, applying pressure that causes the rock to break apart over time. Chemical weathering involves the breakdown of rocks through chemical reactions, such as oxidation or dissolving.


What Physical chemical of Root Wedging?

Root wedging is a physical weathering process where plant roots grow into cracks in rocks, exerting pressure that causes the rock to break apart. As the roots grow and expand, they can increase the size of the cracks and eventually cause the rock to split. This process is effective in breaking down rocks and is commonly seen in areas with vegetation.


Is this true or false Acid rain causes very rapid mechanical weathering?

False. Acid rain can cause chemical weathering, which is a slower process that breaks down minerals and rocks over time. Rapid mechanical weathering is typically caused by physical forces such as frost wedging or plant roots breaking up rocks.


What happens to rocks and minerals during physical weathering?

During physical weathering, rocks and minerals are broken down into smaller pieces through physical processes such as frost wedging, abrasion, and root pry. This process does not change the chemical composition of the rocks and minerals, but instead breaks them into smaller fragments.


What type of weathering causes root wedging?

Root wedging is caused by physical weathering, where plant roots grow into cracks in rocks and exert pressure as they expand, gradually breaking the rock apart.