1. Forces like wind and water break down rocks through the processes of weathering and erosion. Many things cause weathering, including climate changes. Erosion breaks rocks down further and then moves them. Forces like wind and water move the rock pieces.
2. Mechanical weathering, also called physical weathering and disaggregation, causes rocks to crumble. Water, in either liquid or solid form, is often a key agent of mechanical weathering. For instance, liquid water can seep into cracks and crevices in rock. If temperatures drop low enough, the water will freeze.
3. Temperature changes can also contribute to mechanical weathering in a process called thermal stress. Changes in temperature cause rock to expand (with heat) and contract (with cold)
4. Plants and animals can be agents of mechanical weathering. The seed of a tree may sprout in soil that has collected in a cracked rock. As the roots grow, they widen the cracks, eventually breaking the rock into pieces. Over time, trees can break apart even large rocks.
5. Animals can also contribute to weathering. Animals can walk on rock or disturb it, causing landslides that scrape or smooth rock surfaces. Burrowing animals such as badgers and moles can break up rock underground or bring it to the surface, where it is exposed to other weathering forces.
6. Weathering is a natural process, but human activities can speed it up. For example, certain kinds of air pollution increase the rate of weathering. Burning coal, natural gas, and petroleum releases chemicals such as nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere
Answers & Comments
Answer:
1. Forces like wind and water break down rocks through the processes of weathering and erosion. Many things cause weathering, including climate changes. Erosion breaks rocks down further and then moves them. Forces like wind and water move the rock pieces.
2. Mechanical weathering, also called physical weathering and disaggregation, causes rocks to crumble. Water, in either liquid or solid form, is often a key agent of mechanical weathering. For instance, liquid water can seep into cracks and crevices in rock. If temperatures drop low enough, the water will freeze.
3. Temperature changes can also contribute to mechanical weathering in a process called thermal stress. Changes in temperature cause rock to expand (with heat) and contract (with cold)
4. Plants and animals can be agents of mechanical weathering. The seed of a tree may sprout in soil that has collected in a cracked rock. As the roots grow, they widen the cracks, eventually breaking the rock into pieces. Over time, trees can break apart even large rocks.
5. Animals can also contribute to weathering. Animals can walk on rock or disturb it, causing landslides that scrape or smooth rock surfaces. Burrowing animals such as badgers and moles can break up rock underground or bring it to the surface, where it is exposed to other weathering forces.
6. Weathering is a natural process, but human activities can speed it up. For example, certain kinds of air pollution increase the rate of weathering. Burning coal, natural gas, and petroleum releases chemicals such as nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere