Weathering and Erosion

Question 3 • * FL-2001340-Environmental Science Sem 2

How is chemical weathering different from physical weathering?

Answer

Physical weathering involves the movement of substances while chemical weathering does not.

Chemical weathering occurs through human action while physical weathering occurs naturally.

Physical weathering is mechanical breakdown, while chemical weathering involves the chemical breakdown of substances.

Chemical weathering causes less drastic changes than physical weathering.

Explanation

Physical weathering breaks rock into smaller pieces without changing what the minerals are chemically. Chemical weathering changes or dissolves minerals through chemical reactions, such as oxidation or acids. Therefore, choice C is correct: physical weathering is mechanical breakdown, while chemical weathering involves chemical breakdown.

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