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Factors Affecting Weathering

 
Geography Worksheet Factors Affecting Weathering Worksheet
 
 
 
 

A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic, crystalline solid, that has a definite chemical composition, and is stable over a range of temperatures and pressures.

Example - Quartz is a mineral, it is found in nature, it forms without the help of plants and animals, it is crystalline, and it has a definite chemical composition (SiO2, two oxygen atoms for every one silicon atom). It is stable, both at low and high temperatures, but is unstable at very high temperatures ( > 600 C).

A rock is a combination of one or more minerals. It may be igneous, sedimentary or metamorphic.

Example - A mixture of crystals of quartz and feldspar is a rock called granite. Granite may also have other minerals such as micas, pyroxene, and amphiboles in lesser amounts, as well as many others in trace quantities.

Although there are over 4000 different minerals and hundreds of rock types, there are only about 8 common minerals and 20 common rocks found at the Earth's surface.

Adapted from this source

 

In terms of minerals, quartz is resistant to weathering and calcite is very susceptible to weathering.

In terms of rocks quartzite and sandstone are resistant to weathering. Granite is less resistant to weathering than quartzite and sandstone. Limestone and marble are very susceptible to weathering.

 
 

Particle Size

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Limestone Pavement

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Limestone Pavements are bare limestone rock surfaces composed of slabs of rock (clints), separated by variable-width vertical cracks (grikes). These grikes have developed by weathering and enhanced solution along joints. Composed principally of calcite, limestone is vulnerable to chemical weathering by water (solution) and dissolves easily.
 
 
Speed of a chemical reaction increases 2 and a half times with each rise in temperature of 10 degrees Celsius.
 
Weathering and Climate
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Classification of Biomes
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