Mechanical weathering

The types of materials that are produced when mechanical weathering predominates are:

• Clasts: These are the individual pieces of rock that are produced by mechanical weathering.
• Rubble: This is a mass of clasts that are loosely cemented together.
• Colluvium: This is a mass of clasts that have been transported by gravity.

Main processes of chemical weathering and the products of chemical weathering of minerals such as feldspar, ferromagnesian silicates, and calcite Chemical weathering is the process by which rocks are broken down by chemical reactions. The main processes of chemical weathering are:

• Hydrolysis: This process occurs when water molecules react with the minerals in rocks, breaking them down into smaller molecules.
• Oxidation: This process occurs when oxygen molecules react with the minerals in rocks, breaking them down into smaller molecules.
• Carbonation: This process occurs when carbon dioxide molecules react with the minerals in rocks, breaking them down into smaller molecules.

The products of chemical weathering of minerals such as feldspar, ferromagnesian silicates, and calcite are:

• Feldspar: Feldspar is a type of mineral that is commonly found in rocks. When feldspar is weathered, it breaks down into clay minerals, such as kaolinite and illite.
• Ferromagnesian silicates: Ferromagnesian silicates are a type of mineral that is commonly found in rocks. When ferromagnesian silicates are weathered, they break down into iron and magnesium oxides, such as hematite and magnetite.
• Calcite: Calcite is a type of mineral that is commonly found in rocks. When calcite is weathered, it breaks down into dissolved calcium and carbonate ions.

Type of weathering processes that are likely to have taken place to produce a sand sized sediment deposit Sand sized sediment deposits are most likely to be produced by mechanical weathering processes, such as frost weathering, salt weathering, and hydraulic action. These processes can break down rocks into sand sized clasts. Relationships between weathering and soil formation and the origins of soil horizons Weathering is the first step in soil formation. As rocks are weathered, they break down into smaller pieces and the minerals in the rocks are broken down into smaller molecules. These smaller pieces and molecules are the building blocks of soil. Soil horizons are layers of soil that are formed by different processes. The topsoil is the layer of soil that is most affected by weathering. It is typically dark brown or black in color and it is rich in organic matter. The subsoil is the layer of soil that is below the topsoil. It is typically lighter in color and it is less rich in organic matter. The bedrock is the layer of soil that is below the subsoil. It is the solid rock that the soil is formed on. The origins of soil horizons are related to the processes of weathering and the movement of water through the soil. The topsoil is the layer of soil that is most affected by weathering because it is the layer that is closest to the surface. The subsoil is the layer of soil that is less affected by weathering because it is the layer that is further from the surface. The bedrock is the layer of soil that is the least affected by weathering because it is the solid rock that the soil is formed on. Geological carbon cycle and how variations in rates of weathering can lead to climate change The geological carbon cycle is the process by which carbon moves through the Earth system. The carbon cycle is a biogeochemical cycle that includes the exchange of carbon between the biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. The weathering of rocks is one of the processes that moves carbon from the geosphere to the atmosphere. When rocks are weathered, they release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere. This can lead to climate change. Variations in the rates of weathering can lead to climate