Question

In percolating rainwater, dissolved gases and the decay products of local vegetation increases the water's capacity to ________.

A) drive chemical reactions
B) freeze
C) undergo mechanical weathering
D) condense
E) evaporate

Answer 1

Percolating rainwater with dissolved gases and decay products from vegetation enhances its capacity to drive chemical reactions, specifically within the soil and subsoil environment where various minerals and geological materials may be broken down chemically.

Step-by-step explanation:

In percolating rainwater, dissolved gases and the decay products of local vegetation increases the water's capacity to drive chemical reactions. As rainwater seeps into the soil, it can pick up different substances, including gases like carbon dioxide and organic matter from decaying vegetation, which can lead to the formation of mildly acidic water. This acidic characteristic enhances the ability of the water to engage in and promote various chemical reactions in the soil, which can include the breakdown of minerals and other geological features through a process known as chemical weathering.