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6.1WeatheringPowerpoint+(3)

Weathering is the breakdown of Earth's crust materials into smaller pieces through physical or chemical processes. Chemical weathering involves changes in the minerals of rocks due to agents like water, oxygen, and acids, while physical weathering includes mechanical processes such as freezing and thawing, plant roots, and abrasion. Both types of weathering contribute to the alteration and erosion of rocks over time.

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2 views

6.1WeatheringPowerpoint+(3)

Weathering is the breakdown of Earth's crust materials into smaller pieces through physical or chemical processes. Chemical weathering involves changes in the minerals of rocks due to agents like water, oxygen, and acids, while physical weathering includes mechanical processes such as freezing and thawing, plant roots, and abrasion. Both types of weathering contribute to the alteration and erosion of rocks over time.

Uploaded by

amarmayig19
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Weathering

The breakdown of the materials of Earth’s


crust into smaller pieces. It can happen
through physical or chemical means and
through natural and man made processes.
Weathering
 Chemical Weathering: The break down of rocks
involves a chemical change in at least some of the
minerals within a rock. It involves rainwater,
oxygen, carbon dioxide, and plant decay acids.

 Physical or Mechanical Weathering: The


break down of rocks caused by physical
processes. Only size changes, not the chemical
composition
Physical Weathering
 Process by which rocks are broken down
into smaller pieces by external conditions

 Types of mechanical weathering:


 Freezing and thawing
 Plant roots
 Abrasion (by wind and water)
 Release of pressure
 Animal actions
Mechanical Weathering:
Freezing and Thawing
As water freezes it expands placing pressure on the
rock around it. When it thaws more water is able to
enter the crack and then it is able to freeze again.
The continual freeze-thaw action eventually cause
the rock to break apart.
Mechanical Weathering:
Release of Pressure
Rocks exfoliate, or break a part in layers as pressure
from overlying rocks is reduced or removed.
Mechanical Weathering:
Plant Roots
When plant roots grow into a rock or under a rock,
they break rocks apart as they grow.
Mechanical Weathering:
Abrasion
Friction and repeated impact by water, ice, or wind.
Mechanical Weathering:
Animal Action
Animals in the ground burrow and break particles off
of rocks.
Chemical Weathering
 The process that breaks down rock through
chemical change.

 The agents of chemical weathering:


 Water (acids)
 Oxygen
 Carbon dioxide
 Living organisms
 Acid rain
Chemical Weathering:
Water
Water weathers rock by decomposing, dissolving or loosening parts
of the rock.
Chemical Weathering:
Oxygen
Iron combines with oxygen in the presence of water
in process called oxidation.

The product of oxidation is rust.


Chemical Weathering:
Carbon Dioxide
CO2 dissolves in rain water and creates carbonic
acid.

Carbonic acid easily weathers limestone and marble


Chemical Weathering:
Plants
Plants that grow on rocks produce weak acids that
chemically weather rocks.
Chemical Weathering:
Acid Rain
Compounds from burning oil, coal, and gas react
chemically with water, forming acids.

Acid Rain causes very rapid chemical weathering

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