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What factors determine the rate of weathering?

* Climate- Climate, which is usually measured in terms of temperature and moisture, can drastically affect the rate of weathering. High amounts of water and higher temperatures generally cause chemical reactions to run faster. Thus warm humid climates generally have more highly weathered rock, and rates of weathering are higher than in cold dry climates. Example: limestones in a dry desert climate are very resistant to weathering, but limestones in a tropical climate weather very rapidly. A high temperature and high amounts of water also controls vegetation which indirectly affects rate. Seasonality of precipitation affects rate to a degree. · Organisms (Biota) Animals- burrowing organisms like rodents, earthworms, & ants, bring material to the surface were it can be exposed to the agents of weathering.* Time- Weathering is a slow process. When we speak of time in a geologic sense, millions of years are often used as the units. The bedrock of Greenland has barely been weathered, and its age is over 3.5 billion years. The longer that a rock has been exposed to the weather, the faster it weathers. * Mineral Composition- All chemical and physical properties are determined by the mineral composition of the rock. Mineral composition is more important in determining the rate of chemical weathering. Those minerals that are most reactive with acids, water, and air are weathered at a more rapid rate. Mineral composition also affects physical weathering. Minerals that are soft (hardness lower thaan six) can be easily abraided and blasted. Slope - On steep slopes weathering products may be quickly washed away by rains. On gentle slopes the weathering products accumulate. On gentle slopes water may stay in contact with rock for longer periods of time, and thus result in higher weathering rates.· Porosity and faults and shears in materials Porous sediment equals better circulation and thus faster weathering process. Impermeable rocks will mean that no or little circulation will take place in rocks and weathering will be slower. Enhanced weathering rate occurs if faults and shears are present in rocks. * Exposure- Rock that is exposed to the atmosphere tends to weather much quicker. Bed rock that is covered by soil and vegetation may not weather as quickly. * Particle Size- The particle size of the material can affect the rate of weathering. The smaller the particle size, the faster it will weather. The more surface area that is exposed, the more it will weather.


Does the rate of mechanical weathering depend on the materials in a rock and the conditions around it?

Yes, the rate of mechanical weathering can depend on the type of materials in a rock because different rocks have varying resistance to weathering processes. Additionally, environmental conditions such as temperature, moisture, and presence of vegetation can also influence the rate of mechanical weathering by promoting or hindering processes like freeze-thaw cycles or root wedging.


Climate does not effect the rate in which weathering can occur?

Climate does play a role in the rate of weathering. In areas with higher temperatures and more precipitation, chemical weathering processes like dissolution and oxidation tend to occur more rapidly. In colder or drier climates, mechanical weathering processes such as frost wedging may be more prevalent.


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.


How does the amount surface area affect the rate of weathering?

The surface area of a rock has a big affect on the rate of weathering. The higher the surface area of the rock in proportion to its overall mass will result in a quicker rate of weathering of the rock.

Related Questions

The most of important factors in determining the rate of weathering are what?

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 factors determine th rate of weathering?

The factors that determine the rate of weathering include the type of rock or material being weathered, the climate of the region (temperature and precipitation), the presence of vegetation and soil cover, as well as human activities such as mining and construction. Chemical weathering is more prominent in warm and humid climates, while physical weathering is more common in cold and dry climates.


What are two exposure factors that determine rate of weathering?

Two exposure factors that determine the rate of weathering are climate (temperature and precipitation) and the type of rock or minerals being exposed to weathering processes. Climate affects the frequency and intensity of weathering agents, while the chemical and physical characteristics of rocks influence their susceptibility to weathering.


What are the most important factors that determine the rate of weathering rock?

The most important factors that determine the rate of weathering rock are the composition and fabric of the rocks and the physical and chemical environment to which the surface of the rock is exposed.


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 are the two factors that determine the rate of weathering?

The two main factors that determine the rate of weathering are the type of rock or material being weathered and the climate or environmental conditions in which the weathering is taking place. Different rocks and materials weather at different rates depending on their composition, and weathering is generally more rapid in areas with high levels of moisture and temperature fluctuations.


How to determine the rate determining step from a graph?

To determine the rate-determining step from a graph, look for the slowest step where the rate of reaction is the lowest. This step will have the highest activation energy and will be the one that controls the overall rate of the reaction.


Which factor has the greatest influence ie weathering rate of Earth's surface bedrock?

The climate is the factor that has the greatest influence on the weathering rate of Earth's surface bedrock. Temperature and precipitation variations determine the intensity and type of weathering processes that shape the landscape over time.


How can one determine the rate-determining step from a graph?

To determine the rate-determining step from a graph, look for the slowest step where the rate of reaction is the lowest. This step will have the highest activation energy and will be the one that controls the overall rate of the reaction.


What determines the rate of weathering?

weathering and erosion


How does the surface affect the rate of weathering?

more surface area= faster rate of weathering


If three rocks have the same mass will the weathering rate be the same?

Not necessarily. Weathering rates would depend on the rock type, mineral composition, and density. These factors will determine a rock's resistance to acidic rainwater, freeze/thaw cycles, and abrasion.