Cracks in rocks. Half of a rock fallen off. How? The answer is weathering. Weathering is the breaking down of rocks and can be done naturally or by chemicals. Both of these take thousands of years to even break the littlest bit of a rock and are the beginning to a rock changing process.
Mechanical Weathering
Mechanical/Physical weathering is the breakdown of rock into smaller pieces by physical means. This type of weathering can include wind, water, ice, and gravity. The four types of mechanical weathering are:
![Picture](/uploads/3/9/8/0/39808351/982067207.jpg?110)
Plant Weathering
Plant roots growing into existing cracks in rocks and expanding roots so the crack widens
Plant roots growing into existing cracks in rocks and expanding roots so the crack widens
![Picture](/uploads/3/9/8/0/39808351/988295659.jpg?174)
Ice Wedging
Water seeps into cracks, freezes and expands causing the crack to widen
Water seeps into cracks, freezes and expands causing the crack to widen
![Picture](/uploads/3/9/8/0/39808351/290773088.jpg?217)
Animals
Any animal that burrows causes this type of weathering (ants, worms, mice, rabbits)
Can be chemical weathering if animals mix different types of soils or materials together
Any animal that burrows causes this type of weathering (ants, worms, mice, rabbits)
Can be chemical weathering if animals mix different types of soils or materials together
![Picture](/uploads/3/9/8/0/39808351/116929638.png?208)
Abrasion
The grinding or wearing down of rocks through mechanical actions or other rock or sand particles (water, wind, gravity)
The grinding or wearing down of rocks through mechanical actions or other rock or sand particles (water, wind, gravity)
Chemical Weathering
Chemical weathering is the second type of weathering that can happen and is when rocks break down as a result of a chemical reaction. This weathering is mostly acid rain but also involves air forming rust.
![Picture](/uploads/3/9/8/0/39808351/551359765.jpg?203)
Water
Dissolving of water into a rock can break it down but over a very long time.
Dissolving of water into a rock can break it down but over a very long time.
![Picture](/uploads/3/9/8/0/39808351/496654553.jpg?278)
Acid precipitation
Rain, sleet, or snow that contains high concentration of acids
Caused by burning fossil fuels
High levels of acidity can cause rapid precipitation
Rain, sleet, or snow that contains high concentration of acids
Caused by burning fossil fuels
High levels of acidity can cause rapid precipitation
![Picture](/uploads/3/9/8/0/39808351/795368989.jpg?235)
Acid in Groundwater
Chemicals reactions occur when the acid in the groundwater and rock breaks the rock down
Caverns
Chemicals reactions occur when the acid in the groundwater and rock breaks the rock down
Caverns
![Picture](/uploads/3/9/8/0/39808351/841711596.jpg?195)
Acid in Living Things
Lichens- grows on rocks and trees and slowly breaks them down.
Lichens- grows on rocks and trees and slowly breaks them down.
![Picture](/uploads/3/9/8/0/39808351/718229879.jpg?278)
Air
Oxygen in the air reacts with iron to create rust
Oxidation
Oxygen in the air reacts with iron to create rust
Oxidation