WEATHERING

This is the breaking down of rocks into smaller particles that eventually form soil. The small
particles form the mineral (inorganic) component of the soil.
Importance of weathering to farmers
-It contributes to soil formation and the soil supports plant growth (crops for human
consumption and browse/fodder/grass for livestock feed.
Types of weathering
Physical weathering
This is the breaking down of rocks by action of force, without changing their chemical
composition. Physical weathering changes the shapes and sizes of rocks. The smaller particles
formed from physical weathering have the same chemical composition as the original rock.
Examples of physical weathering
Freeze and thaw
-Water collects in rock crevices/cracks/fissures
-Temperature falls at night and water in the cracks freezes and during the day, it thaws/melts.
-As water freezes, it expands and pushes the rock pieces outwards
-The outward push creates or lengthens the lines of weakness in the rock
-The rock eventually breaks along the lines of weakness.
Exfoliation
It is the peeling off of the outer layer of a rock, like the skin of an orange.
-When a rock is heated during the day, its mineral particles expand and the mineral particles in
the outer layer expand faster than those of the inner layers. When cooled during the night, the
mineral particles contract, with the mineral particles in the outer layer, again, contracting faster
than those of the inner layers. This alternate expansion and contraction eventually results in
the outer layer peeling off.
Wind
As wind blows, it carries small dust particles which hit the exposed rock surfaces. Over time,
this results in the loosening of some particles which then fall to the ground. This is also physical
weathering
Traction
As rock boulders are rolled down the river by flowing water, the friction between the rolling
rock boulders and the river bed result in some mineral particles coming off the rocks.
Abrasion
When the rock boulders are carried by the flowing water in a river, they bump against each
other and break up.
Chemical Weathering
This is the breaking down of rocks by first changing their chemical composition. The rocks are
changed into forms that are weaker.
Examples of chemical weathering
Carbonation
Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere dissolves in rain water to form carbonic acid (which is a weak
acid). The carbonic acid reacts with limestone rock (calcium carbonate) to form calcium
bicarbonate which is weaker and is easily broken down by forces of nature. This is why some
limestone buildings and statues get eroded by acid rain.
Hydrolysis
Water enters a rock and the water molecules break the bonds binding the rock mineral
particles together. This causes the rock to crumble into smaller and loose particles.
Oxidation
This is when oxygen reacts with minerals in the rock to form weaker oxides e.g when oxygen
reacts with iron in a rock to form iron oxide (rust) which is softer.
Hydration
Water enters a rock and occupies spaces between mineral particles, interacting with the
minerals chemically. This causes the rock to expand and have its granular structure disrupted.
Solution
Rocks that are submerged in water for a long time start having their mineral particles dissolving
away.
Biological weathering
-Animals trampling on rocks
-Roots of trees growing in rock cracks
-Urine and carbon dioxide from animals living in caves reacting with the rocks.