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There are two main types of weathering: mechanical (also called 'physical') and chemical. Pressure release is a form of mechanical weathering. Pressure release usually occurs when rock that has been deeply buried, rises toward the surface due to the erosion of the mass of rock above it. Pressure release causes fractures and exfoliation in the depressurizing rock body. These fractures in the rock make it more susceptible to, and accelerate, other modes of mechanical weathering attack, such as freeze/thaw hydraulics and plant root growth.

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How do plants cause chemical weathering of rock?

In chemical weathering mosses and linches have been found to grow on rocks and release chemicals that dissolve minerals from rocks. roots from plants are able to invade cracks with in rocks and increase the size of the cracks. There are a number of trees and other plants that release acidic chemicals which can cause weathering of the rocks, minerals, and soil around them. Plants also can have an affect on the way water weathers rocks and soils, they can channel water in specific directions that cause greater weathering or they can lessen the impact of rain falling on the ground. They also affect wind speed and direction near the surface of the ground having an effect on weathering in arid regions of the world. If you have any other questions about weathering go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weathering


What are 2 factors that affect the rate of weathering?

The most important factors that determine the rate at which weathering occurs are the type of rock and the climate. Rainfall affects the rate of weathering.


What 3 factors affect the density of sea water?

Temperature, pressure, and common ion effect


What human activities may cause or contribute to chemical weathering?

People also weather rocks through many of their activities. To build roads, they sometimes have to blast with dynamite the large rocks along mountainsides. These rocks are broken into fragments. They dig tunnels for mining operations. They dig out large rocks and sand in large open pits called quarries. The rocks and sand that they quarry are used for construction. People build factories to manufacture the things they need. Factories release some chemicals which, when combined with water in the atmosphere, produce acid rain. Acid rain can eat into rocks and break them. Pamela S. =p


What factors affect gas exchange in humans?

The factors that affect gas exchange in humans include the amount of gases in the atmosphere. It also includes temperature, atmospheric pressure and ion concentrations.

Related Questions

How did mechanical weathering affect the Colorado plateau?

mechanical weathering breaks it down into gradual sloped hills


How mechanical weathering can affect the rate of chemical weathering?

I dont know :d !!


How can mechanical weathering affect the rate of chemical weathering?

I dont know :d !!


What factors affect the rate of mechanical weathering?

Factors that affect the rate of mechanical weathering include temperature fluctuations, presence of water, wind intensity, type of rock or mineral composition, and presence of vegetation or organisms that can contribute to physical breakdown of rocks.


What are the 3 factors that affect weathering?

The three factors that affect weathering are mechanical weathering (physical breakdown of rocks), chemical weathering (chemical changes in rocks), and biological weathering (weathering caused by living organisms).


How rocks are mechanically weatherd?

When rocks are broken down without any change to their chemical compositions it is mechanical weathering. Causes of mechanical weathering are Freezing and melting of water, Abrasion, when the rock is weather by an abrasive agent such as wind and sand, and exfoliation occurs when a rock is brought to the surface.


How the rates of mechanical and chemical weathering might differ in the Congolese rain forest and the Siberian steppes?

The rates of mechanical weathering does not affect anything since the chemical properties remain unchanged. Only chemical weathering affects the chemical properties of an object.


What influences both chemical weathering and mechanical weathering?

Factors such as temperature, precipitation, type of rock, vegetation cover, and human activity can influence both chemical weathering (breakdown of rocks through chemical reactions) and mechanical weathering (physical breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces). Temperature can affect the rate of chemical reactions, while precipitation can enhance chemical weathering by providing water for reactions and mechanical weathering by contributing to erosion. Vegetation can impact weathering by producing acids that enhance chemical weathering and by roots that can cause mechanical weathering. Human activity like construction and mining can accelerate both chemical and mechanical weathering processes.


The type of weathering caused by physical means is what type of weathering?

The type of weathering caused by physical means is called mechanical weathering. It involves the physical breakdown of rocks into smaller fragments without changing their chemical composition. Examples include frost wedging, abrasion, and root wedging.


How does physical and chemical weathering combine to affect rocks?

Physical weathering breaks down rocks into smaller pieces, increasing their surface area exposed to chemical weathering processes. Chemical weathering alters the mineral composition of rocks, weakening them and making them more susceptible to further physical weathering. Together, physical and chemical weathering work to break down rocks into smaller particles and alter their composition over time.


What is mechanical weathering in geology?

Mechanical (physical) weathering is the breakdown of rock into smaller particles due to such factors as freezing and thawing, release of pressure, water absorption, salt crystal formation, landmass uplift, expansion and contraction from the sun or fire, plant root growth, actions of animals, abrasion, or other means that do not directly affect the rock's chemistry.


How could climate affect rates of mechanical weathering What about chemical weathering How are the two kinds of weathering related?

Climate can affect rates of mechanical weathering by influencing the frequency of freeze-thaw cycles and differential heating of rocks, leading to physical breakdown. In contrast, climate can influence rates of chemical weathering by determining the availability of water and temperature for chemical reactions which can break down minerals. Both types of weathering are related as they work together to break down rocks - mechanical weathering initiates the process by breaking rocks into smaller pieces which exposes more surface area for chemical weathering to act upon.