Bianca Ysabel D.

Rabe
Grade 11 – Cuentos
SCRIPT / Chemical Weathering

On Chemical Weathering
For chemical weathering, the rocks are still broken down into smaller fragments, much like in
physical weathering; but instead, is broken down by chemical reactions. However, we must
take note that with chemical weathering comes chemical reactions—materials aren’t just
altered physically, but its chemical composition is transformed—which in essence, gives us a
different substance than the one that we started with. Chemical weathering can happen in four
different processes: carbonation, hydration, hydrolysis, or oxidation.

Carbonation
Carbonation takes place when the rain, which is inherently slightly acidic because of the
carbon dioxide found in the atmosphere, combines with a calcium carbonate, such as chalk or
limestones. The carbonic acid that forms when the CO2 in the air dissolves in water, breaks
down the calcium carbonate into its main components that are calcium and bicarbonate.
This type of chemical weathering is a strong force in the formation of sinkholes, caverns, and
underground rivers of karst topography. How though? Limestone is immensely made of
calcium carbonate. If exposed to underground water, the rock is dissolved and are hence,
developed in the space left underground. And when the space formed underground gets too
big and hollow, the land at its surface no longer has its foundation and will collapse, now
forming a sinkhole.

Hydration
When a mineral absorbs water and forms a new substance, Hydration has occurred. This
chemical process causes the rock to expand in volume, and is further added to the crystalline
structure of the mineral. The stress inflicted on the rock then makes it more vulnerable to the
other forms of weathering.
An example would be the transformation of anhydrite – which means “waterless stone”—to
gypsum, which is the softest mineral as per the Mohs hardness scale.

Hydrolysis
If hydration is absorbing water, Hydrolysis is when water is in charge for breaking down the
chemical bonds of the mineral. For instead of creating a new mineral, this process
decomposes and weakens the mineral as water chemically bonds with the substance.
Oxidation
Oxidation is the reaction between rocks and oxygen. When an element or a compound reacts
with oxygen and water, they form oxides. The most prominent example of this is rust. Iron
effortlessly reacts with oxygen—hence the presence of rust, which makes the oxidized rock
more prone to other forms of weathering because of its soft and crumbly consistency,
alongside its reddish-brown color. This reaction is also the reason for the red surface of the
planet Mars.

Sources
https://www.thoughtco.com/chemical-weathering-1440852

https://sciencing.com/two-types-weathering-8065594.html

https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-chemical-weathering-definition-process-
examples.html#transcriptHeader