EARTH SCIENCE – WEATHERING – SLK 1

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EXPLORE!
1. From the two pictures given, we clearly see that the rocks are part separated and the
plants break up from rocks with their developing roots also roots makes weight on the
sides of the split broadening it `til the rocks breaks apart.
2. The roots of the tree and other plants apply weight on rocks causing the rocks to split.
3. Weathering

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APPLY WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED
1. Mechanical weathering is the result of mechanical activity of rock itself or some
animal or natural factor like water, wind or land sliding. While chemical weathering is
caused by the chemical reaction of rock with some solvent. The flow of rock particles along
with the solvent is called chemical weathering.
2. The mechanical weathering increases the rate of chemical weathering. With more
surfaces uncovered, there are more surfaces on which chemical weathering can occur.
3. Humans cause increases in acid precipitation and pollution, which increase the
quantity of weathering agents within the air and water, then ashore. Humans also affect
the speed of weathering/erosion by paving over large portions of land, in order that
normal rain run-off is modified in direction and amount, to places where it was previously
not a problem. Other activities like strip-mining and agriculture can affect the power of the
land to soak up rain, increase erosion and run-off, and increase chemicals within the
groundwater.

LEARN MORE
1. Plants can cause mechanical and chemical weathering. When plants cause
mechanical weathering, their roots grow into rocks and crack them. It can also happen in
streets or sidewalks. When plants cause chemical weathering, there roots release acid or
other chemicals, onto rocks, which then forms cracks, and breaks apart.
2. Not all the rocks inside the same climate weather at the same rate. The impacts of
climate on the weathering of rock also depend on rock type and composition. For case,
rocks containing for the most part calcite, such as limestone and marble, are more easily
weathered than rocks containing mostly quartz, such as granite and quartzite.
3. Carbon Dioxide in atmosphere increases the rate of chemical weathering. Carbonic
Acid results from the chemical reaction between carbon dioxide and water. Increase in the
concentrations of acids in the atmosphere results in more chemical weathering. The rocks
are chemically weathered change their form into new rocks of different composition.
Chemical weathering takes place on the rock portion which is exposed to the elements.
The chemical weathering increases the available surface area making space for the rock to
chemically weather.

ASSESS WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED

1. C. 6. B.
2. A. 7. A.
3. D. 8. A.
4. D. 9. B.
5. A. 10. D.