Chemical Weathering of Rock Quick Check

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Question
Which statement correctly describes how hydrolysis causes chemical weathering?(1 point)
Responses

Water reacts with minerals in rocks to produce carbonic acid, weakening the rock.
Water reacts with minerals in rocks to produce carbonic acid, weakening the rock.

Water reacts with carbon dioxide to produce carbonic acid, weakening the rock.
Water reacts with carbon dioxide to produce carbonic acid, weakening the rock.

Water reacts with carbon dioxide to produce clay, weakening the rock.
Water reacts with carbon dioxide to produce clay, weakening the rock.

Water reacts with minerals in rocks to produce clay, weakening the rock.
Water reacts with minerals in rocks to produce clay, weakening the rock.
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The correct statement that describes how hydrolysis causes chemical weathering is: "Water reacts with minerals in rocks to produce clay, weakening the rock."

The correct statement is: Water reacts with minerals in rocks to produce clay, weakening the rock.

To answer this question, we need to understand what hydrolysis is and how it causes chemical weathering.

Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction between water and another substance. In the context of rock weathering, hydrolysis refers to the reaction between water and minerals in rocks.

So, let's analyze the statements one by one:

1. "Water reacts with minerals in rocks to produce carbonic acid, weakening the rock."
This statement describes a reaction between water and minerals in rocks, resulting in the production of carbonic acid. Carbonic acid is known to weaken rocks. Therefore, this statement correctly describes how hydrolysis causes chemical weathering.

2. "Water reacts with carbon dioxide to produce carbonic acid, weakening the rock."
This statement describes a reaction between water and carbon dioxide, resulting in the production of carbonic acid. However, it doesn't mention the involvement of minerals in rocks. Since hydrolysis specifically refers to the reaction between water and minerals, this statement is incorrect.

3. "Water reacts with carbon dioxide to produce clay, weakening the rock."
This statement describes a reaction between water and carbon dioxide, resulting in the production of clay. However, it doesn't involve minerals in rocks. Since hydrolysis specifically refers to the reaction between water and minerals, this statement is incorrect.

4. "Water reacts with minerals in rocks to produce clay, weakening the rock."
This statement describes a reaction between water and minerals in rocks, resulting in the production of clay. Clay is known to weaken rocks. Therefore, this statement correctly describes how hydrolysis causes chemical weathering.

Based on the explanations above, the correct statement describing how hydrolysis causes chemical weathering is:

- Water reacts with minerals in rocks to produce clay, weakening the rock.