Problem No. 1
Weathering describes the breaking down or dissolving of rock s and mineral s on the surface of the Earth. Water, ice, acids, salts, plants, animals, and changes in temperature are all agents of weathering. Once a rock has been broken down, a process called erosion transports the bits of rock and mineral away.
Problem no. 2-3
Mechanical weathering occurs in various forms. One type of mechanical weathering is one which occurs through thermal fracture which is also known as insolation weathering. Thermal fracturing is the process where differences in temperature affect the stability of a rock through expansion and contraction and ultimately lead to the degeneration of the rock into small fragments in a process known as thermal pressure. Thermal pressure can also be seen in rocks with a varied composition where their layers expa…
Different types of weathering affect rocks. These include physical/mechanical weathering, chemical weathering and biological weathering. Temperature extremes can affect the weathering of rocks as well. One type of physical weathering is called thermal stress. This is a common factor in desert climates, in which the daytime temperatures are very hot, whereas the nighttime temperatures can be quite cool. When this wild swing of temperatures takes place repeatedly over a long period of time, rocks will event.
