Question

For each example of weathering, determine whether it is mechanical (physical)weathering or chemical weathering.

1. Glaciers in Antarctica are starting to thaw. The ice starts to crack and pieces break off.

2. After writing with a piece of chalk, the end piece starts to wither away.

3. An Alka-Seltzer tablet starts to bubble and dissolve in a glass of room-temperature water.

4. Slices of apples start to turn brown after being left out for 2 days.

5. Metal fences outside get rained on and start to rust until parts of the fence break off.

Answer 1

1. Mechanical - ice melting is not a chemical reaction, it is a physical change

2. Mechanical - its force, friction and pressure

3. Chemical - bubbles are a sign of a chemical reaction

4. Chemical - oxidization

5. Rusting is chemical since it is oxidization, parts breaking off could be mechanical if it is due to wind, or some other force.

Step-by-step explanation: