Weathering Flashcards
Physical weathering
A process that breaks up and disintegrates parent rock or primary minerals within the Earth
Its caused by:
Erosion
Temperature changes
Waterfalls
Chemical weathering
Hydrolysis Hydration Dissolving Carbonisation Oxidation Reduction
Hydrolysis
A mineral reacts with water it forms a new mineral that is softer and easier to weather
Hydration
Water is absorbed between plates making it softer and easier to weather it increases in size and it makes it easier to weather
Dissolving
Liquid divides the solid material into independent dissolved ions. The ions become surrounded by water and some components readily dissolve and leach away
Carbonisation
The reaction of a compound with carbonic acid
Oxidation
The removal of an electron from a chemical element with a compound
Reduction
Observed in soild only when organic matter and micro-organisms are present. It takes places where oxygen levels are low
Biological weathering
Plays an important role in soil formation
Plants
Plants and tree roots can work their way into the crevices of a rock, forcing it apart and ultimately causing it to fracture
Animals
Micro and macro soil organisms and even farm animals are responsible for some degree of biological weathering of rocks when boring into the soil
Lichen
They anchor themselves to the surface of a rock and weather it either chemically or physically
