Question

Four samples of the same material with identical composition and mass were cut as shown in the diagrams below.

Answer 1

Answer:

D

Explanation:

Sample D will undergo the fastest rate when subjected to chemical weathering.

What is weathering?

• It is the physical disintegration and chemical decomposition of rocks to form sediments and soils.
• Physical weathering is also known as mechanical weathering. It entails breaking rocks into smaller sized chunks.
• Chemical weathering is the decomposition of rocks by chemical action.

From the given choices, option D will have the largest surface area exposed to chemical actions. It has more surface area compared to the others. The more broken a mass is, the more its surface area is.

Reaction rates are affected by:

• Increase in surface area
• Increase in temperature
• Higher concentration
• Increase in pressure

The last cube has the highest surface area and will have the fastest rate of weathering.