Which describes the process of breaking down rocks into smaller pieces
The process of breaking down rocks into smaller pieces is called weathering. Weathering can occur through several processes, including physical weathering, chemical weathering, and biological weathering.
1. Physical Weathering: This is the mechanical breakdown of rocks into smaller fragments without changing their chemical composition. It can occur through various mechanisms like frost wedging (repeated freezing and thawing of water in cracks), thermal expansion (alternate heating and cooling causes expansion and contraction), exfoliation (due to pressure release), abrasion (friction and rubbing against other rocks), and impact (from wind, water, or gravity).
2. Chemical Weathering: In this process, the rocks are broken down through chemical reactions that alter their composition. Common chemical processes include oxidation (reaction with oxygen), hydrolysis (reaction with water), carbonation (reaction with carbon dioxide), and dissolution (rock minerals dissolve in water).
3. Biological Weathering: This involves the actions of organisms, like plants and animals, on rocks. Tree roots, for example, can grow into crevices and exert pressure, leading to the physical breakdown of rocks. Burrowing animals also contribute to the fragmentation of rocks by tunneling through them.
Overall, weathering processes gradually break down rocks into smaller fragments over time, eventually leading to the formation of soil.