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Openings in rocks allow for the wind and weater to get inside and erode the surface. In areas where the temperatures get below freezing, when water gets inside a crack of a rock it freezes and when it freezes it expands. It exerts so much force when it expands that it cracks the rock further, making the crack larger and deeper which lets in more water which, well you know how it goes from there. It just gets bigger and bigger until the rock splits apart.

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Are caves formed by erosion or weathering?

Caves are typically formed by a combination of erosion and weathering. Erosion from water, wind, and ice can wear away rock formations, while weathering processes such as chemical weathering can dissolve minerals in the rock, creating openings that can eventually form caves over time.


List and explain the various factor that influence the rate of weathering?

Porosity .Porous sediments equals better circulation and thus fater weathering process. .Impermeable rocks will mean that no or little circulation and thus slower weathering process.


What is the type of mechanical weathering caused by water freezing and pushing openings in rocks?

The type of mechanical weathering caused by water freezing and pushing openings in rocks is called frost wedging. This process occurs when water seeps into cracks in rocks, freezes, expands, and exerts pressure on the surrounding rock, gradually causing it to break apart.


How does chemical weathering help mechanical weathering?

Chemical weathering weakens the rock structure by altering its mineral composition, making it more susceptible to physical breakdown. This makes mechanical weathering processes, like frost wedging or abrasion, more effective in breaking down the rock into smaller pieces. Ultimately, the combination of chemical and mechanical weathering accelerates the overall process of rock disintegration.


Why a rock with many joints and cracks will be affected by frost weathering?

A rock with many joints and cracks will be affected by frost weathering because water can enter these openings and freeze. When water freezes, it expands, putting pressure on the rock and widening the cracks. Over time, repeated freezing and thawing cycles can cause the rock to break apart due to this expansion and contraction.

Related Questions

Are caves formed by erosion or weathering?

Caves are typically formed by a combination of erosion and weathering. Erosion from water, wind, and ice can wear away rock formations, while weathering processes such as chemical weathering can dissolve minerals in the rock, creating openings that can eventually form caves over time.


List and explain the various factor that influence the rate of weathering?

Porosity .Porous sediments equals better circulation and thus fater weathering process. .Impermeable rocks will mean that no or little circulation and thus slower weathering process.


What is the type of mechanical weathering caused by water freezing and pushing openings in rocks?

The type of mechanical weathering caused by water freezing and pushing openings in rocks is called frost wedging. This process occurs when water seeps into cracks in rocks, freezes, expands, and exerts pressure on the surrounding rock, gradually causing it to break apart.


How does chemical weathering help mechanical weathering?

Chemical weathering weakens the rock structure by altering its mineral composition, making it more susceptible to physical breakdown. This makes mechanical weathering processes, like frost wedging or abrasion, more effective in breaking down the rock into smaller pieces. Ultimately, the combination of chemical and mechanical weathering accelerates the overall process of rock disintegration.


Explain the difference between chemical and physical weathering?

Chemical weathering involves the breakdown of rocks through chemical reactions, such as oxidation or dissolution. Physical weathering, on the other hand, occurs when rocks are broken down into smaller pieces through physical processes like freezing and thawing, or abrasion. Chemical weathering changes the composition of the rock, while physical weathering only breaks the rock into smaller pieces.


What is weathering that does not alter the chemical composition of the rock called?

The type of weathering that does not alter the chemical composition of the rock is called physical weathering. The acid weathering usually alter the chemical composition of a rock.


How do gases from a the air help break down rock?

Carbon Dioxide produces chemical weathering.


What effect does weathering have on igneous rock?

The effect of weathering is to reduce the volume of the igneous rock.


Rock formed from the fusion of weathering?

Weathering may change the rock into many shapes.


How does igneous rock changes into sedimentery rock?

By weathering either by physical or chemical weathering.


A type of mechanical weathering caused by water freezing and pushing openings in rocks farther apart is known as?

A type of mechanical weathering caused by water freezing and pushing openings in rocks farther apart is known as frost wedging. This process occurs when water seeps into cracks in the rock, freezes, and expands, exerting pressure on the surrounding rock. Over time, repeated freeze-thaw cycles can lead to significant fragmentation and the breakdown of the rock. Frost wedging is particularly common in climates with fluctuating temperatures around the freezing point.


Why a rock with many joints and cracks will be affected by frost weathering?

A rock with many joints and cracks will be affected by frost weathering because water can enter these openings and freeze. When water freezes, it expands, putting pressure on the rock and widening the cracks. Over time, repeated freezing and thawing cycles can cause the rock to break apart due to this expansion and contraction.