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Chemical Weathering Weathering • What is weathering? – Weathering is the disintegration and decomposition of rock at or near the surface of the earth. Weathering • Types of Weathering – Mechanical • Physical disintegration of rock into smaller fragments, each with the same properties as the original. – Chemical • Process by which the internal structure of a mineral is altered by the addition or removal of elements. • A chemical process CHANGES or ALTERS the composition of the rock during disintegration Chemical Reactions Characteristics of Chemical Reactions: Bubbling Foaming Change in Temperature Color Change Factors that Effect Chemical Weathering – Temperature • Chemical decomposition of rock will be faster in warmer climates. – Hardness • Rocks and minerals that are “soft” will weather faster than those that are hard. Limestone is not as hard as granite. – Time • Natural chemical weathering is a slow process. The longer a rock has been exposed to chemical decomposition, the more likely it is to be weathered Weathering and Soil Formation • Mechanical and Chemical Weathering Promote Soil Formation • Soils contain small pieces of rocks and minerals as well as organic material. Soil Formation Chemical Weathering by Acids • Acids dissolve some of the minerals in rocks which promotes disintegration and weathering • In our environment, chemical weathering can occur as a result from acid rain and acids produced by plant roots and plant decomposition. Effects of Acid Rain