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Weathering is the breakdown of a rock into smaller particles. Weathering of rocks is caused by chemical and mechanical means. Slightly acidic rainwater can react with rock surfaces, dissolving them over time. Rocks can also be affected by organic sources of chemical reactants. Heat from the sun can cause differences in temperature between the surface and the interior of a rock which can cause a loosening of the surface called exfoliation. Liquid water penetrates cracks in the rocks surface where it can freeze and expand, opening up the cracks for further attack in tandem with acidic rainwater. Plant root growth can also cause cracks to further expand, making them more vulnerable to frost expansion and chemical attack. Underlying rock which is exposed due to erosion of the overlying rock becomes free of the pressure it was previously exposed to, causing the rock to expand and break apart. Other means of weathering include the expansion of crystallizing salts that have been taken in by a rock surface, expansion due to the absorption of water, and hydraulic action from crashing waves on seashore rock formations.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoPlant root growth can cause cracks in rock to further expand, making them more vulnerable to frost expansion and chemical attack.
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How do plants affect earths landform?
the plants roots sink into the rock and cracks the rock.
How do plants help to weather rocks?
Simple. The roots of a plant. Plants weather rocks by growing in small moist crevasses. As their roots expand the rock cracks. The process is very similar to the action of ice entering the crevasse or crack and freezing thus expanding the crack. Over time the rock fractures.
How are rocks and plants connected?
how are plants and rocks connected
How does the soil replace the minerals it lost to growing plants?
It replaces some a the rocks beneath it weather and crumble but the majority is replenished as the plants die and rot, releasing their minerals back into the soil.
What is biological weather?
Biological weathering is when plants or animal breakdown the rock.
How do plants contribute to mechanical weathering?
They produce acids that can weather rocks and minerals that dissolves the rocks
How do plants or animals weather rocks?
Weathering is the breakdown of a rock into smaller particles. Acids from animal waste and even the movement of rocks from an animals locomotion can contribute to weathering. Some marine organisms can create chemicals which chemically attack rock causing dissolution.
How do plants dissolve?
Plants can weather rocks by having its roots grow, often squeezing the rock into so many little pieces, it can technically be considered "dissolved".
How do plants affect earths landform?
the plants roots sink into the rock and cracks the rock.
How do plants help to weather rocks?
Simple. The roots of a plant. Plants weather rocks by growing in small moist crevasses. As their roots expand the rock cracks. The process is very similar to the action of ice entering the crevasse or crack and freezing thus expanding the crack. Over time the rock fractures.
How do plants help weather rocks?
Simple. The roots of a plant. Plants weather rocks by growing in small moist crevasses. As their roots expand the rock cracks. The process is very similar to the action of ice entering the crevasse or crack and freezing thus expanding the crack. Over time the rock fractures.
How are rocks and plants connected?
how are plants and rocks connected
What kind of weather can break up rocks?
All weather can and will break up rocks.
Describe weather due to plant root growth?
trees, bushes, and other plants may take root in cracks in rocks. as the roots of these plants growth, they wedge open the cracks.
How does the soil replace the minerals it lost to growing plants?
It replaces some a the rocks beneath it weather and crumble but the majority is replenished as the plants die and rot, releasing their minerals back into the soil.
How do plants dissolve rock?
Plants can weather rocks by having its roots grow, often squeezing the rock into so many little pieces, it can technically be considered "dissolved".
How rocks weathered in plants?
plants can cause the weatering of the rock plants may grow on the rock the minerals of rocks are used by the plants
