Weathering

Weathering What is Weathering? Weathering is part of environmental chemistry, there are two main types of weathering: Physical Weathering Chemical Weathering Weathering is the continuous change of rocks being broken down into smaller rocks, due to the environment.Physical WeatheringIn Physical Weathering rocks are broken down by water and wind. A main method of physical weathering is freeze and thaw. Freeze and thaw- when water freezes in a crack, its surface area will expand due to its new state. The crack will then become bigger as a result of this. When the water melts again, more water may enter the crack such as rain water etc. This is a continuous cycle, until the crack has split the rock into two.

Chemical WeatheringAs rainwater falls, some of the gases in the atmosphere become dissolved in it. Two of these gases: Carbon Dioxide, and Sulphur Dioxide, make water acidic. Excess Sulphur Dioxide can cause acid rain. Acid rain reacts with the minerals in a rock, dissolving them- therefore chemically weathering the rock.

Above: Diagram of freeze and thaw