Q. Describe the main processes involved in mechanical weathering.
Mechanical Weathering
Let's say you're a
big rock living in a national park. For the most part, life is good as you
spend your days living outside in the natural environment. You get warmed by
the sun on a daily basis and get cleaned by the gentle rains that occasionally
fall on you.
However, over
time, the constant exposure to forces, such as wind, water, cold and heat, take
their toll on your rocky structure. These forces lead to mechanical
weathering, which is defined as the physical breakdown of rock by
environmental factors. In this lesson, we will take a look at how this process
works and see examples of the different types of mechanical weathering.
The Process of Mechanical Weathering
Mechanical
weathering is a physical process that is constantly happening in nature because
nature is always active, even if this activity is happening slower than our
senses can detect. For example, we feel when temperatures fluctuate from
daytime to nighttime, but we can't see a rock expanding and contracting due to
this temperature fluctuation. However, this unperceivable movement does occur
and it weakens the rock, eventually causing it to fracture and break down. This
is just one example of how mechanical weathering happens.
No comments:
Post a Comment