weathering Flashcards
what is physical weathering
the mechanical breakdown of rocks with no chemical change
what is chemical weathering
the breakdown/decomposition of rock due to chemical change
the mechanical breakdown of rocks with no chemical change
physical weathering
the breakdown/decomposition of rock due to chemical change
chemical weathering
what is frost shattering
when water gets trapped in rocks it freezes overtime and expands by 9%, causing rock to expand and break
what is salt crystallisation
sea water is evaporated from the rocks surface, it leaves behind salt crystals which increase in volume and put pressure on the rock
what is pressure release
the expansion of rock when there is less pressure from material above it
what is exfoliation
during the day the sun heats up rock and at night it cools, this gradually disintegrates the outer layer of the rock like an onion
when water gets trapped in rocks it freezes overtime and expands by 9%, causing rock to expand and break
frost shattering
sea water is evaporated from the rocks surface, it leaves behind salt crystals which increase in volume and put pressure on the rock
salt crystalisation
the expansion of rock when there is less pressure from material above it
pressure release
during the day the sun heats up rock and at night it cools, this gradually disintegrates the outer layer of the rock like an onion
exfoliation
what is oxidation
oxygen reacts with minerals and forms iron oxide, this overtime cause the rock to rust and form a ferric state
what is hydration
water is absorbed by rocks and causes them to expand
what is hydrolysis
hydrogen in the sea water reacts with minerals, they then breakdown and form clays
