Weathering (coasts)

Question 1

define: Weathering

Answer 1

the weakening/ decay of rock in their original place (broken down in situ)
often by weather conditions e.g. changes in temperature
3 Types Of Weathering
1- Chemical
2- Mechanical
3- Biological

Question 2

Chemical weathering

Answer 2

caused by a chemical reaction when rain water hits rock and breaks it down.

EXAMPLE:
Carbonation
- carbon dioxide in rainwater forms carbonic acid that reacts with minerals in the rock weakening and breaking it down.
(acid rain)

Question 3

Mechanical weathering

Answer 3

rocks being disintegrated usually by extreme weather

EXAMPLE:
Freeze thaw
-water collects in rock cracks
-water freezes and expands, crack widens
-this repeats making crack wider still
-this repeats until the cracks split the rock

Exfoliation
-rock layers peeling off (onion skin weathering) due to expansion and contraction of rock

Question 4

Biological weathering

Answer 4

rocks being broken apart by living things (animals, plants)

EXAMPLE:
Puffins!
-puffins dig holes in cliffs to make nests which weakens them and makes erosion more likely.

Plant roots
-growing in cracks in the rocks making them unstable

Rabbits
-burrowing into weak rock making it even more unstable.