1. Describe one example of weathering at a large scale and one example of weathering at a microscopic scale.

Answer 1

One example of weathering at a large scale is the erosion of mountains. Over thousands of years, wind, water, and ice can break down and wear away the rock layers of a mountain range, causing them to become smaller and eventually form hills or even plains. This type of weathering is known as physical or mechanical weathering, as it physically breaks down the rocks through different physical processes.

One example of weathering at a microscopic scale is chemical weathering caused by acid rain. Acid rain is formed when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides released from human activities like burning fossil fuels combine with water in the atmosphere, forming sulfuric and nitric acids. When this acidic rainwater falls on rocks and minerals, it reacts chemically with them, dissolving and breaking them down over time. This process is especially prominent in areas with high levels of pollution and can lead to the deterioration of buildings, statues, and even natural rock formations.