What are agents of physical weathering? Choose all that apply.

Answer 1

Agents of physical weathering include:

1. Temperature Changes - Fluctuations in temperature can cause materials to expand and contract, leading to cracking.
2. Water - The freezing and thawing of water in rock crevices can widen cracks and break rocks apart (frost wedging).
3. Wind - Wind can carry small particles that physically erode larger rock surfaces through abrasion.
4. Ice - The accumulation of ice can exert pressure on rocks, contributing to physical weathering.
5. Plants - Roots can grow into cracks in rocks, exerting pressure and causing fragmentation.
6. Gravity - The movement of rock and soil downhill (mass wasting) leads to weathering through the displacement of materials.

These agents physically break down rocks without changing their chemical composition.