How does mechanical and chemical weathering differ?

Weathering is the process of erosion (not the only one, but a major one). Weathering by chemical means is due to reactions between a rock and the surrounding environment: air or rain, generally. read more

Physical weathering is mechanical damage - ice, for instance, does a lot of physical weathering. Water gets into joints (cracks) in the exposed rocks, and when it freezes, it pushes the joint/crack wider, until eventually the rock breaks. read more

Chemical Weathering vs Mechanical Weathering. Chemical weathering and mechanical weathering form part of the natural processes that nature imposes on its subjects. Weathering happens when there is a breakdown, physical or chemical, to the surface mineral of rocks. This event is brought upon through natural elements such as water, gas, ice and plants. read more