Final answer:
The formation of caves is chiefly a result of the dissolution process, where acidic water dissolves limestone, followed by the precipitation of CaCO3 forming stalactites and stalagmites.
Step-by-step explanation:
The chemical weathering process that results in the formation of caves is called dissolution. When groundwater containing atmospheric CO2 forms an acidic solution, it dissolves limestone (CaCO3), a process that can take tens of thousands of years. As this CO2-rich water seeps into the cave and evaporates, the equilibrium shifts, causing precipitation of CaCO3, leading to the formation of stalactites and stalagmites.