Water plays an important role in the chemical weathering of rock. In 3–5 sentences, identify and explain two agents of chemical weathering to support that statement.
Two agents of chemical weathering that are supported by water are oxidation and hydrolysis. Oxidation occurs when oxygen reacts with minerals in the rock, causing them to break down and form new compounds. Water enhances this process by providing the necessary medium for oxygen to dissolve and react with the minerals. Hydrolysis, on the other hand, occurs when water reacts with minerals in the rock, causing them to chemically change and break down. This process is particularly significant in the breakdown of silicate minerals, which make up a large portion of the Earth's crust.
