Question

Identify each event as the result of mechanical weathering or chemical weathering.

Answer 1

The following events are identified as chemical weathering:

• The minerals in a marble statue react with water to form acids and pores in the structure.
• The rocks in a region are streaked orange after being exposed to repeated rains.

Reason:

When the weathering process occurs due to chemical reaction, then it is considered as chemical weathering.

In the first case, minerals of marble statue are reacting with water to cause weathering. In the second case, due to the acidificaion reaction, the change of the color has happened after exposure to the repeated rains.

The following events are identified as Mechanical weathering:

• A piece of rock crumbles after being constantly thrashed by strong waves.

• Industrial runoff forms cracks in a rocky structure in its path.

Reason:

When the rock is broken into simple pieces without any chemical reaction it is considered as mechanical weathering.

In the first cause, due to the abrasion caused by the strong waves, weathering has happened, in the second case industrial run off may be of varying temperature and thus may cause heating or cooling of the rock and causes weathering.