What is physical weathering
A: the movement of rock from one place or another
B: the building up of rock that has been brought from other places
C: the transformation of rocks into some other type of materials
D: the breaking of rock into smaller pieces from non-chemical process
D: the breaking of rock into smaller pieces from non-chemical process
D: the breaking of rock into smaller pieces from non-chemical process
The correct answer is D: the breaking of rock into smaller pieces from a non-chemical process.
Physical weathering, also known as mechanical weathering, is the process of breaking down rocks into smaller pieces without changing their chemical composition. It occurs through various natural processes such as temperature changes, pressure, ice formation and expansion, abrasion by wind or water, and the growth of plant roots. These physical forces cause rocks to crack, crumble, or break apart over time, resulting in the formation of smaller fragments. This type of weathering is common in areas with extreme temperature fluctuations or abundant water, where the repeated expansion and contraction of rocks due to freezing and thawing or wetting and drying can lead to their breakdown.