what is mechanical weathering
Answers
Answer:
Mechanical weathering, also called physical weathering and disaggregation, causes rocks to crumble. Water, in either liquid or solid form, is often a key agent of mechanical weathering. For instance, liquid water can seep into cracks and crevices in rock. If temperatures drop low enough, the water will freeze.
ANSWER:
Mechanical weathering is the breakdown of rock without changing its chemical composition. This means the rock breaks up without its chemical makeup changing. Freeze-thaw weathering is the main type of mechanical weathering that affects coasts.
Freeze-thaw weathering occurs when rocks are porous (contain holes) or permeable (allow water to pass through). Water enters the rock and freezes. The ice expands by around 9%. This causes pressure on the rock until it cracks. Repeated freeze-thaw can cause the rock to break up.