Mechanical Weathering
- Mechanical or physical weathering means the breakdown of rocks and soils through direct contact with atmospheric conditions such as heat, water, ice and pressure.
- Mechanical Weathering occurs when rocks are broken apart by physical processes.
- If water gets into a crack in a rock and the temperature goes below the freezing point, the water will freeze and expand. After some time, the rock may be weak enough to break into pieces.
- Rain is another force that works slowly. The force of raindrops on some rocks make them wear down. Rain also can make a chemical change in some rocks. The water mixes with the minerals in the rock to break it down.
- Mechanical Weathering occurs when rocks are broken apart by physical processes.
- If water gets into a crack in a rock and the temperature goes below the freezing point, the water will freeze and expand. After some time, the rock may be weak enough to break into pieces.
- Rain is another force that works slowly. The force of raindrops on some rocks make them wear down. Rain also can make a chemical change in some rocks. The water mixes with the minerals in the rock to break it down.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanical_weathering