What is chemical&mechanical weathering?
Weathering is the process by which rocks and metals break down over time. Mechanical weathering and chemical weathering are the two different classifications of weathering. Mechanical weathering, often called physical weathering, is weathering that occurs due to a physical process. Chemical weathering is weathering that occurs due to a chemical process. Either form may be referred to as “biological weathering” if a plant or animal is involved.Ice and Salt CrystallizationTwo common types of mechanical weathering are ice crystallization (often referred to as “ice wedging” or “frost wedging”) and salt crystallization. Ice crystallization occurs when water enters a crack or pore in a rock and then freezes, expanding as it does so and fracturing the rock. Salt crystallization occurs in much the same way, when a saline solution gets into a rock and crystallizes. Often, these two processes work together to more quickly weather rock.Root WedgingRoot wedging is another form of mechanical weathe
