What is the difference between physical and chemical weathering'?

Answer 1

Physical weathering is breaking down of rocks by weather that does not change their chemical components. Chemical weathering is weathering that breaks rocks down by a chemical change.

Answer 2

Physical weathering is the disintegration of rock into smaller pieces without any chemical change in the rock; this is most likely in areas of bare rock where there is no vegetation to protect the rock from extremes of weather e.g. freeze or thaw and exfoliation (or onion weathering). Chemical weathering-the decomposition (or rotting) of rock caused by a chemical change within that rock; sea water causes chemical weathering of cliffs.

Answer 3

1. A physical change is reversible, a chemical change is not. For example, the freezing of water would be a physical change because it can be reversed, whereas the burning of wood is a chemical change - you can't 'unburn' it

2. A physical change is a change in which no new substance is formed; a chemical change results in the formation of one or more new substances. Again, consider the previous examples: Freezing water into ice just results in water molecules which are 'stuck' together - it's still H2O. Whereas burning wood results in ash, carbon dioxide, etc, all new substances which weren't there when you started.

Answer 4

The chemical weathering is caused by chemical reactios, for example with water, acids etc.

The physical weathering is produced by mechanical causes, freezing, heating etc.

Answer 5

chemical weathering changes the chemical composition of rocks whereas physical weathering breaks the rocks into smaller fragments.

Answer 6

physical: water, wind, and temperature

chemical: acid rain and rust