The evaporation of water within rocks, that leaves behind expanding crystals that cause breaking, is know as?
A. ice wedging
B. hydrolysis
C. salt wedging
D. chemical weathering
C. salt wedging
Water seeps into the cracks of a rock and freezes, forcing the crack wider and eventually breaking the rock. Which is the term for this process?
A. erosion
B. dissolving
C. ice wedging
D. deposition
C. ice wedging
The correct answer is A. ice wedging.
To arrive at this answer, we can break down the question and analyze the options.
The question is asking about a process that involves the evaporation of water within rocks, leading to breaking caused by expanding crystals. This process is a type of weathering.
Now let's take a look at the answer options:
A. ice wedging: Ice wedging is a type of mechanical weathering where water seeps into cracks in rocks, freezes, and expands. The expansion of the ice exerts pressure on the rock, causing it to break apart. This option seems to match the description given in the question.
B. hydrolysis: Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction where water reacts with minerals in rocks, breaking them down. While hydrolysis is a type of chemical weathering, it does not directly involve the evaporation of water or the formation of expanding crystals.
C. salt wedging: Salt wedging is another type of mechanical weathering. It occurs when saltwater seeps into cracks in rocks and then evaporates, leaving behind salt crystals. As these crystals grow, they exert pressure on the rock, leading to cracking and breaking. Although this option involves the evaporation of water and the formation of expanding crystals, it specifically mentions saltwater, which differs from the description in the question.
D. chemical weathering: Chemical weathering refers to the breakdown of rocks through chemical reactions. While it is a general term for various processes that occur, it does not specifically refer to the process described in the question.
By analyzing the options and considering the description provided, we can conclude that the correct answer is A. ice wedging.