Earth Science about Weathering, Lecture notes of Earth science

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WEATHERING

WEATHERI

NG

The process of breaking

down rocks.

No movements occur.

AGENTS:

1. WATER

2. AIR

3. TEMPERATURE

4. ICE

5. PLANTS/LIVING

1.WATER

• Sulfur dioxide, SO2 ,

converts into sulfuric acid.

Carbon dioxide in the

atmosphere may also be

converted into carbonic acid.

These acids then fall to earth

as rain.

• (^) Ocean waves found around coastal regions experienced weathering caused by ocean waves

2. WIND

• It carries sand and small rock particles that scratch the rock surface.

LIVING ORGANISMS

• living organisms can

grow in the surface of the

rocks and produce chemical

that have the potential of

breaking down the outer

layer of rocks.

TYPES OF WEATHERING

EXAMPLES OF MECHANICAL

WEATHERING

1. Abrasion - Tiny particles of dust and rock in the wind can collide with exposed rock, smoothing down rock faces over millions of years.

EXAMPLES OF CHEMICAL

WEATHERING

2. Hydration
   • when rock minerals absorb water and the increase volume causes stress on the inner layer of the rock.

EXAMPLES OF MECHANICAL

WEATHERING

4. FROST WEDGING

• When water freezes , it expands, causing the holes to grow larger.

2. BIOLOGICAL WEATHERING

• (^) The disintegration of rocks as a result of the actions by the living organisms.
• (^) Eventually, the plants also grow within the fissures in the rocks which lead to widening of the fissures and then eventually disintegrate.

2. BIOLOGICAL WEATHERING

• (^) Microscopic organisms can grow on the surface of the rocks and produce that have the potential of breaking down the outer layer of the rocks

2. BIOLOGICAL WEATHERING

• (^) Burrowing animals can speed up the development of fissures.