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Types of Mechanical Weathering

Carbonation
Carbonation

Carbonation is the mixing of water with carbon dioxide to make carbonic acid. This type of weathering is important in the formation of caves. Dissolved carbon dioxide in rainwater or in moist air forms carbonic acid, and this acid reacts with minerals in rocks.

source: study.com
Chemical Weathering
Chemical 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.

Crystal Formation or Salt Wedging
Crystal Formation or Salt Wedging

frost wedging, salt crystal ... In what way does the amount of mechanical weathering that has taken place ... because it affects the rate of sediment formation and ...

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Frost Wedging or Freeze-Thaw
Frost Wedging or Freeze-Thaw

Frost wedging is a type of mechanical weathering caused by frost and ice. Water expands when it freezes, and repeated cycles of freezing and thawing slowly weaken the structural integrity of porous and cracked rocks.

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Gravitational Impact
Gravitational Impact

Start studying Mechanical Weathering. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.

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Hydrolysis
Hydrolysis

Chemical weathering is the process by which rocks are broken down by chemical reactions. There are different types of chemical weathering. Hydrolysis is the chemical breakdown of a substance when combined with water.

source: study.com
Oxidation
Oxidation

Oxidation is the reaction of a substance with oxygen. This is the process that causes rust. When iron in rocks reacts with oxygen, it forms iron oxide, which weakens the rock. Carbonation is the mixing of water with carbon dioxide to make carbonic acid. This type of weathering is important in the formation of caves.

source: study.com
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Rock Abrasion
Rock Abrasion

Through abrasion, large rocks on mountains become smaller in size and gravity can cause them to tumble down. However, abrasion is only one type of physical weathering that can break rocks into smaller fragments. Other types of physical weathering are ice wedging, exfoliation and thermal expansion.

source: reference.com
Thermal Expansion and Contraction
Thermal Expansion and Contraction

MECHANICAL WEATHERING (CONTINUED) A third mechanism of mechanical weathering is THERMAL EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION.As any substance is heated, it expands. As it cools, it contracts.

source: itc.gsw.edu
Unloading and Exfoliation
Unloading and Exfoliation

Mining and quarrying by humans is also an example of mechanical weathering that would not be possible without the exposure of jointing in rock caused by unloading. Chemical Weathering Chemical weathering decomposes rock minerals exposed at the surface.

source: sciencing.com

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