How can plants cause weathering? (1 point)
Responses
Chemical reactions in plants change rocks and break them into smaller pieces.
Chemical reactions in plants change rocks and break them into smaller pieces.
Sprouting seeds and growing roots can cause rocks to break.
Sprouting seeds and growing roots can cause rocks to break.
Plants need water, and water can weather rocks.
Plants need water, and water can weather rocks.
Plants attract animals, and animals can burrow into rocks.
Plants attract animals, and animals can burrow into rocks.
Is this correct?
No, I apologize. The correct statement is "Sprouting seeds and growing roots can cause rocks to break."
The correct response is: Sprouting seeds and growing roots can cause rocks to break.
Plants can cause physical weathering of rocks through the process of root wedging. When plants start growing, their roots penetrate into crevices and cracks in rocks. As the roots grow larger and thicker, they exert pressure on the surrounding rocks, causing them to break apart. This process is known as root wedging.
To answer this question, you need to understand the concept of physical weathering and the role of plants in this process. Physical weathering refers to the breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces without any change in their chemical composition. Plants contribute to physical weathering by exerting mechanical force through their roots, leading to the disintegration of rocks.