Which part of Earth experience physical weathering?
A. Mantle
B. Crust
C. Inner core
D. Outer core
B. Crust
The correct answer is B. Crust. The crust is the outermost layer of the Earth and is where physical weathering primarily occurs. Physical weathering refers to the breakdown of rocks into smaller fragments without any change in their chemical composition. This process can be caused by factors such as temperature changes, wind erosion, water erosion, and the actions of plants and animals.
To determine which part of Earth experiences physical weathering, let's think about the definition of physical weathering and the layers of the Earth.
Physical weathering refers to the breakdown of rocks and minerals into smaller pieces without any change in their chemical composition. This process is primarily caused by external forces like temperature changes, wind, water, and ice.
Now, let's look at the layers of the Earth:
1. Crust: The outermost layer of the Earth, consisting of both continental and oceanic crust. It is relatively thin compared to the other layers.
2. Mantle: The layer below the crust, extending down to about 2,900 kilometers. It is composed of solid rock but behaves like a semi-solid due to the intense heat and pressure.
3. Outer Core: The layer beneath the mantle, made up of liquid iron and nickel.
4. Inner Core: The deepest layer of the Earth, consisting of solid iron and nickel.
Since physical weathering occurs due to external forces, the part of the Earth's layers that is most exposed to these forces is the crust. Therefore, the answer is B. Crust.