Vs. Chemical Weathering Mechanical Weathering Vs. Chemical Weathering

EQ: What is the difference between chemical weathering and mechanical weathering?

Chemical weathering: Weathering that changes the chemical makeup of a rock or mineral. These Chemical processes break down rocks into smaller pieces or reform rocks and minerals.

Stalactites Stalactites & Stalagmites created by acid rain falling into these limestone caverns. Stalagmites

Mechanical (Physical) weathering: The process by which a rock or mineral is broken down into smaller fragments without changing its chemical makeup; it only affects physical characteristics.

The most common type of mechanical weathering is the constant freezing, and thawing of water. In liquid form, water is able to penetrate the many holes and joints within a rock. As the temperature drops water freezes and expands, becoming about 10% larger than it was in liquid form. The result is that the holes and cracks in rocks are pushed outward. Even the strongest rocks are no match for this force.

Rock split apart by Mechanical weathering.