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Explain how the texture of a rock surface affects how fast it physically weathers by water.(4 points)
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1) Surface area: Rough, fractured or grainy textures expose much more surface area to water than smooth surfaces, so more rock is in contact with weathering agents and breakdown is faster.
2) Porosity/permeability: Porous or well-jointed textures let water penetrate into the rock, promoting internal processes (freeze–thaw, wedging, salt crystallization) that accelerate physical disintegration.
3) Particle bonding: Coarse‑grained or weakly cemented rocks (loose grains) are more easily disaggregated by wetting, drying and abrasion by moving water than tightly welded, fine‑grained rocks.
4) Water retention and abrasion: Irregular/rough surfaces trap water and sediments, increasing time of wetting and abrasive wear by suspended particles, whereas smooth, dense surfaces shed water and resist mechanical weathering.
2) Porosity/permeability: Porous or well-jointed textures let water penetrate into the rock, promoting internal processes (freeze–thaw, wedging, salt crystallization) that accelerate physical disintegration.
3) Particle bonding: Coarse‑grained or weakly cemented rocks (loose grains) are more easily disaggregated by wetting, drying and abrasion by moving water than tightly welded, fine‑grained rocks.
4) Water retention and abrasion: Irregular/rough surfaces trap water and sediments, increasing time of wetting and abrasive wear by suspended particles, whereas smooth, dense surfaces shed water and resist mechanical weathering.
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