Climate greatly affects the rate of weathering. Weathering is the process of breaking down rocks minerals and soil. There are two types of weathering: physical and chemical. Physical weathering happens when the rocks are broken down by physical forces such as freezing and thawing while chemical weathering happens when the rocks are broken down by chemical reactions such as acid rain.
The climate affects the rate of weathering in many ways. For example warm temperatures cause rocks to expand and contract which leads to physical weathering. Also warm temperatures speed up chemical reactions which leads to chemical weathering. Precipitation also affects the rate of weathering. Rain washes away rocks and soils which leads to physical weathering. Acid rain also speeds up chemical weathering.
There are many other factors that affect the rate of weathering such as the type of rock the amount of water and the amount of oxygen. However climate is one of the most important factors.
Referenced from:
https://www.reference.com/science/climate-affect-rate-weathering-bc9f4feb547357b8#:~:text=Climate%20greatly%20affects%20the%20rateof%20physical%20and%20chemical%20weathering.
What is the process of weathering?
Weathering is the breakdown of rock and minerals on the earth’s surface by the action of wind rain and temperature changes.
What are the two types of weathering?
There are two types of weathering physical and chemical weathering.
How does physical weathering happen?
Physical weathering is the breakdown of rock and minerals into smaller pieces by the action of wind rain and temperature changes.
What is the difference between mechanical and physical weathering?
Mechanical weathering is the physical weathering of rock and minerals into smaller pieces while physical weathering is the chemical alteration of rock and minerals.
How does chemical weathering happen?
Chemical weathering is the alteration of rock and minerals into new substances by the action of water oxygen and acids.
What is the most important agent of chemical weathering?
Water is the most important agent of chemical weathering.
What are the two types of water in chemical weathering?
There are two types of water in chemical weathering ground water and surface water.
What is the difference between ground water and surface water?
Ground water is water that seeps into the ground and comes in contact with rock while surface water is water that is on the surface of the earth such as in lakes and rivers.
How does oxygen cause chemical weathering?
Oxygen causes chemical weathering by combining with water to form acids which then attack rock and minerals.
How do acids cause chemical weathering?
Acids cause chemical weathering by attacking rock and minerals breaking them down into new substances.
What is the most important acid in chemical weathering?
Carbonic acid is the most important acid in chemical weathering.
What is the difference between carbonic acid and other acids?
Carbonic acid is formed when carbon dioxide dissolves in water while other acids are formed when other chemicals dissolve in water.
How does climate affect the rate of weathering?
Climate affects the rate of weathering by determining the amount of water and oxygen available as well as the temperature.
How does the amount of water affect the rate of weathering?
The amount of water affects the rate of weathering by determining how much ground water and surface water are available.
How does the temperature affect the rate of weathering?
The temperature affects the rate of weathering by determining how much energy is available to break down rock and minerals.
