1. Types of Weathering
Mechanical
Chemical

2. What is Mechanical Weathering
What is Mechanical Weathering? The breakdown of rocks without changing the chemical composition of the rock.

3. 1. Frost Action
Freezing and thawing that results in breaking the rock apart into pieces.

4. Wearing away of rocks by wind or water; can polish the affected rocks.
2. Abrasion
Wearing away of rocks by wind or water;
can polish the affected rocks.

5. 3. Gravity
As rocks fall, they collide with each other and break apart.

6. 4. Organic Activity: Root Pry
Plant roots can grow into
crevices within rocks and
break them apart.

7. Constant swelling and shrinking makes rocks crack.
5. Wetting and Drying
Constant swelling and shrinking makes rocks crack.

8. 6. Joint Sheeting
The removal of large masses of rock causes rocks to expand.

9. What is Chemical Weathering
What is Chemical Weathering? The process by which rocks are decomposed, dissolved or loosened by chemical processes to form residual materials.

10. 1. Hydrolysis The chemical reaction of water with other substances.

11. Feldspar +Water = Clay
Feldspar
A Clay Cliff

12. Acids formed by the decaying of plants and animals;
2. Plant Acids
Acids formed by the decaying of plants and animals;
eats away rocks.

13. 3. Sulfuric Acid Pollution from smog dissolves
in rainwater (acid rain) and eats
away at rocks.

14. 4. Oxidation
The chemical reaction of oxygen with other substances (rust).

15. Carbonic acid dissolves rocks and forms caves underground.
5. Carbonation
Carbonic acid dissolves rocks and forms caves underground.

16. The End