How can temperature lead to weathering of rocks?

Question

A. Rocks can melt when they become hot, which lead to pieces braking off
B. Rocks move faster when they are heated which can cause the pieces to eventually move away
C. Rocks expand and contract when they are heated and cooled which cause them to break
D. Rocks become ice when they get cold which can layer melt and wash away

Answer 1

C. Rocks expand and contract when they are heated and cooled which causes them to break.

Temperature-induced weathering, specifically through thermal expansion and contraction, can lead to the breakage of rocks. When rocks are exposed to high temperatures, they expand, and when they are cooled down, they contract. This repeated expansion and contraction can create stress on the rock, causing it to fracture or break apart over time. Additionally, this process can be enhanced when water is present in the fractures and pores of the rock, as water expands when it freezes, exerting additional pressure on the rock.