Exogenic processes – external process that

occur at or near the surface of Earth.

Weathering – physical breakdown and /or
chemical alternation of rocks at or near
Earth’s surface.
2 TYPES OF WEATHERING
1. Mechanical weathering
2. Chemical weathering
 The breaking up of large rocks into smaller
fragments without changing the rock’s
mineral composition.
PHYSICAL PROCESSES
1. Frost wedging or frost weathering
- Where temperature fluctuates above and
below freezing point, resulting in a freeze-
thaw cycle.
2. Insolation weathering or thermal stress
- Results from the expansion and contraction

of rocks caused by temperature change.

Exfoliation – peeling away of outer layer.
3. Uploading or pressure release
- Occurs when the overlying rock is eroded
away, causing the outer rock to expand more
than the rock below.
 Decomposes rocks through chemical change.
PROCESS:
1. Oxidation – Oxygen dissolved in water will
oxidize some materials.
2. Hydrolysis – water is perhaps the most
important agent of chemical weathering.
3. Carbonates and Solution – Carbon dioxide
dissolves in water to form carbonic acid and
reacts with carbonate rocks to form a soluble
product.
4. Biological Action
- Some plants and animals may create
chemical weathering by releasing chelating
and audifying compounds that react with
some minerals in rocks.
1. Using the Venn diagram, compare and
contrast mechanical and chemical
weathering.
2. How does temperature affect mechanical
weathering?
3. What chemical weathering do you observe in
your home and campus? Describe what
happen to the object.