weathering weathering is the process by which rocks on or near earth’s surface break down and...
TRANSCRIPT
Weathering is different from EROSION, which
is the transport of weathered material from place to place.
Weathering that results in the breaking of rock into smaller
pieces (called clasts) without any change in the chemical
composition of the
rocks/minerals is called PHYSICAL
WEATHERING
This type of weathering causes
changes in the SIZE and sometimes the
SHAPE of the weathered material.
Water EXPANDS as it freezes, causing a 9%
increase in volume. If the water is in a crack in the
rock, then this change can exert pressure on the
surrounding rock.
The splitting of rock due to repeated
freezing and thawing of water in the cracks
is called FROST WEDGING.
This process required the temperature to rise and
fall through the FREEZING or MELTING
point of water which is 0oC, or 32oF
Rock at great depth in the Earth is under
extreme PRESSURE caused by the weight of the
overlying rock.
If this rock is removed (by erosion or faulting)
then the WEIGHT on the rock below is
RELEASED allowing the rock to EXPAND
and crack.
Weathering which results in a change in the mineral or rock’s composition is called
CHEMICAL WEATHERING
These substances are significant agents of chemical weathering.WATER, OXYGEN, CARBON DIOXIDE,
and ACIDS.
What rocks commonly used in buildings and
monuments will also be affected by acid in the
environment?
Human beings could greatly reduce the impact of acid rain in the future if we drastically reduce the
need for FOSSIL FUELS
Rate of weathering is affected by
Climate - temp and H2ORock Composition
Surface AreaTopography - slope
Lockport experiences both types of weathering
because we have abundant MOISTURE and FLUCTUATING
temperatures.
What will a relationship graph describing how
the rate of weathering is affected by the surface area of a material look
like?