Coastal Weathering and Erosion

Question 1

Mechanical weathering

Answer 1

Breakdown of rock without changing its chemical composition-freeze-thaw weathering

Question 2

Chemical weathering

Answer 2

Breakdown of rock by changing its chemical composition. Weak carbonic acid rain, reacts with the rock and dissolve it.

Question 3

Hydraulic power

Answer 3

Waves crash against rock and compress the air in the cracks. This puts pressure on the rock. As the process repeats, the cracks widens and make bits of rock to break off.

Question 4

Abrasion

Answer 4

Eroded particles in the water scrape and rub against rock, removing small pieces.

Question 5

Attrition

Answer 5

Eroded particles in the water smash into each other and break into smaller fragments.

Question 6

Freeze-thaw weathering

Answer 6

• water gets into cracks in the rock
• when the water freezes it expands
• this puts pressure on the rock
• when thaw it releases the pressure
• as the process repeats, cracks get wider and rock breaks apart