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some rocks are made of soft minerals such as gypsum and calcite that take take short time to break down. in contrast, granite takes a longer time to be weathered down because it is made of quartz mineral. quartz has a mineral hardness of 7 in contrast to gypsum's 2.
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoSome rocks weather faster because they are softer or partially soluable in water example limestone. Others, particulary igneous rocks, are very hard and don't dissolve very well at all example granite.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoIt usually depends on what they are made of, and how they are eroded.
Sedimentary rocks will erode much easier than Metamorphic rocks, because Metamorphic crystals are compacted tighter and in stronger layers than that of Sedimentary rocks.
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoThe rate of weathering of a rock is dependent on several factors. The chemical composition of the minerals in a rock plays a huge part; carbonate rocks, like limestone, react much more strongly to acidic rainfall than do silicate rocks like quartzite. The hardness of the minerals in the rock will also play a part; the above mentioned quartzite, is largely made up of quartz, which is fairly high up on the Mohs mineral hardness scale (7). It could be expected to weather much more slowly than shale, a rock composed mainly of clay minerals, particularly to abrasion. Finally, the method of formation of the rock will play a part in the rate of weathering; granite, an intrusive igneous rock which solidifies slowly from magma, is composed of minerals with varying crystallization temperatures. The last mineral to crystallize is quartz, which in-fills any remaining space with interlocking crystal grains, making it impermeable to fluids and their weathering effects. Layered sedimentary rocks can be particularly vulnerable to fluid penetration due to the somewhat loosely cemented particles and layers. Acid carrying fluids and freeze/thaw cycles find sedimentary rock much more amenable to their effects.
some rocks are not as compact as others, therefore they are looser and erode faster than tightly packed rocks.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoTime - and physical conditions. Also, some rocks are harder than others.
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What aids in the weathering and transportation of rocks?
Very simply, rocks on the surface of the earth are weathered and eroded. The broken pieces are carried away, mostly by streams and rivers - this is transportation. When the river drops the pieces of rock, often when it reaches the sea, we have the material to start the formation of new sedimentary rocks. Weathering also exposes more older rock, so the processes continue.
What is differential weathering?
Hard rocks , such as granite, weather more slowly than softer rocks , such as limestone. Differential weathering happens when softer rocks weathers away and leaves harder, more resistant rock behind. The figures below show an example of how differential weathering can shape landscape.
What has more density a cotton ball or rocks?
cottan balls The previous answer was surely a joke. The answer is rocks.
Are indigo children physically sensitive?
yes, even more when concentrating on the area
What rocks cause rapid runoff?
Impermeable rocks cause more rapid run off than permeable rocks. This is because the water can somewhat flow through the permeable rocks, not impermeable ones.
Does the rate of chemical weathering increase or stay the same when the rocks becomes more mechanically weathered?
The rate of chemical weathering increases when a rock becomes more mechanically weathered, also called abrasion.
What type of rocks are more easily weathered?
All types of rock can be weathered if near enough to the surface.
Why are some rocks more permeable than others?
Some rocks are softer and more sedimentary than others. This allows water to weather them faster, thus causing higher permeability.
Why does it take less time for small rocks to wear away than it does for large rocks to wear away?
Small rocks have a larger surface-to-volume ratio , and are therefore more quickly weathered compared to a large rock with a lower surface-to-volume ratio.
Why does it take less time for small rocks to wear away than it does for large rocks wear away?
Small rocks have a larger surface-to-volume ratio , and are therefore more quickly weathered compared to a large rock with a lower surface-to-volume ratio.
Why are some rocks more reactive than others?
Some rocks are more reactive than others due to differences in their mineral composition. Rocks that contain minerals that are chemically unstable or have a greater tendency to react with other substances will be more reactive. Additionally, the presence of certain elements or ions in the rock can also make it more prone to chemical reactions.
What cause nose and mouth to bleed?
Infections, diseases, physically beaten by others, and more.
Do all rocks react with rainwater at the same rate?
No. Rainwater is usually slightly acidic because of the carbon dioxide dissolved in it. Sometimes, it can be strongly acidic, if pollutants like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide are dissolved in it. Both weakly and strongly acidic rainwater react with some rocks, but only ones that are alkaline. Chalk is almost pure calcium carbonate and reacts fairly quickly with rainwater. Other rocks that contain calcium carbonate include limestone and marble and these react a little more slowly. But some rocks, like sandstone, are actually acidic and don't react with rainwater (though they are still physically weathered by rain). Granite also doesn't react with rainwater and it physically weathers much more slowly.
Why does it take less time for small to wear away than it does for large rocks to wear away?
Small rocks have a larger surface-to-volume ratio , and are therefore more quickly weathered compared to a large rock with a lower surface-to-volume ratio.
Which would most likely have more weathered building stones a city a farm or a desert why?
A city. A city will have more building stones, weathered or not.
How soil formed to rocks?
Soil is not formed to rocks. Soil is formed from rocks. As the parent material is chemically and physically weathered, transported, deposited and precipitated, it is transformed into a soil.
Why are some silicate minerals more easily weathered than others?
Because of their chemical composition, feldspars are more easily attacked by mildly acidic rainwater than say a quartz would be.
