Question

Mechanical weathering ____.

a. breaks apart rocks by physical processes
b. occurs when chemical reactions dissolve or change the minerals in rocks
c. occurs when iron is exposed to oxygen and water
d. none of the above

Answer 1

Mechanical weathering a. breaks rocks apart by physical processes. It is also known as physical weathering. Rocks are broken up into smaller peices but the chemical composition remains the same. Examples of mechanical weathering proccesses include frost shattering, exfoliation and pressure release.

Answer 2

Weathering of rocks comes into two forms. One of which occurs through physical processes without changing the chemical composition of the material. Next is the chemical weathering that involves changes in the chemical properties of the system. The answer to this item is letter A.