Describe the Factors That Affect the Rates at Which Mechanical and Chemical Weathering Break Down Rocks. How Are the Two Related in the Development of Spheroidal Weathering?

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When we look at weathering and how it influences rocks, it can be divided into two categories. These categories include mechanical and chemical weathering. In each of the processes that make up both mechanical and chemical weathering, there are factors that affect the rate in which a rock will break down. In fact, the factors that impact the rate of weathering include the rocks characteristics and the climate. Also, both mechanical and chemical weathering aid in the development of spheroidal weathering. The first factor that influences the rate at which a rock is able to break down is the rocks characteristics. Rocks consist of minerals, which are solid substances that have their own unique chemical composition. The more reactive a mineral is to elements such as water and oxygen, the quicker it will weather. For example iron reacts to oxygen causing iron oxide to occur. Furthermore, some rocks contain iron in them, which allows the rocks to weather at a fast rate since they break apart easily. On the other hand, quartz is a mineral that’s is considered to be stable. Thus, the minerals that make up a rock has a great impact as to how quickly or slowly a rock will be mechanically or chemically weathered. Just like the characteristic of a rock, climate also plays a role in the rate in which a rock will break down. With that being said, rocks that are exposed to a wet/ moist climate are more susceptible to chemical weathering. Thus, the rocks in this type of climate will decompose at an accelerated rate. On the other hand, dry climates are more vulnerable to mechanical weathering, which has a slower weathering rate. All in all, areas with warm temperatures will have faster chemical reactions, so, weathering in the tropics is rapid. Although the desert is a warm place, it does not have a quick weathering rate. The reason for its slow chemical weathering, is because

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