The five agents of chemical weathering are:
– Water (H2O) dissolves some minerals and rock;
– Oxygen (O2) combines with other elements in the rock in an oxidation reaction;
– Carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolves in water to make carbonic acid (H2CO3);
– Living organisms produce weak acids that break down or dissolve rock; and
– Acid rain (H2SO4, HNO3,H2CO3) contains acids that break down rock or dissolve it.
– Water (H2O) dissolves some minerals and rock;
– Oxygen (O2) combines with other elements in the rock in an oxidation reaction;
– Carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolves in water to make carbonic acid (H2CO3);
– Living organisms produce weak acids that break down or dissolve rock; and
– Acid rain (H2SO4, HNO3,H2CO3) contains acids that break down rock or dissolve it.
Mechanical
- Plants roots; as they grow they slowly push into cracks of rocks and break them
- Burrowing of rocks by small animals making holes for habitation of
- people and their machines
- Running water and wind
- Change in temperature which leads to contraction and expansion of rocks hence breakage