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.(4 points)
One agent of chemical weathering is hydrolsis, which occurs when water reacts with minerals in the rock and breaks them down. This process often happens when water combines with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to form carbonic acid, which can dissolve minerals like calcium carbonate. Another agent is oxidation, which occurs when oxygen reacts with minerals in the rock. This reaction can cause the minerals to change composition and weaken the rock structure, leading to its weathering. Overall, water acts as a catalyst in both of these processes, facilitating the breakdown of rocks through chemical reactions.
