Erosion.
Mechanical weathering
The force of expanding water in the cracks and pores of rock is an example of physical weathering. As water freezes and expands in these spaces, it exerts pressure on the surrounding rock, causing it to weaken and fracture over time.
The rock cracks and weathers.
Say some water gets into the crack inn a rock, the water freezes and scince water expands when it freezes the rock cracks even more.
Well, darling, that's an example of mechanical weathering. When water seeps into the cracks of a rock and freezes, it expands and puts pressure on the rock, causing it to crack further. It's like nature's way of playing a little ice pick on the rocks.
Yes, as the water freezes it expands and cracks the rock a little bit more pushing off pieces. This is a process of mechanical / physical weathering- called 'frost wedging' or 'freeze thaw'.
The type of weathering that involves water filling cracks in a rock is called frost wedging. When water enters the cracks in a rock and freezes, it expands, causing the crack to widen and eventually break apart the rock.
Frost Weathering!
If it doesn't have cracks in it it can still be weathered. Wind, water, hot, and cold can make the rock chip away.
When water freezes, it expands and exerts pressure on the rock walls, causing the cracks to widen. Over time, repeated freeze-thaw cycles can further widen the cracks as the ice continues to expand and contract. This process eventually weakens the rock structure, leading to larger cracks.
Agents such as water, temperature fluctuations, plant roots, and pressure changes from tectonic forces can cause cracks in rock formations over time. Water is one of the most common agents, as it can enter cracks, freeze, and expand, causing the rock to crack further.
Yes, air will enter rock cracks. But, if water fills the crack, during a deep freeze, the expansion of the water, as ice forms, will often widen the crack (even to split the rock).