Weathering is the breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces. The breakdown of rocks can happen through physical or chemical weathering. Physical weathering is a basic breaking of rocks, big rocks to smaller pieces. There is no change in the surface of rock or chemical composition, just the size. Physical weathering is also called mechanical weathering.
Physical weathering can be caused by water, ice, wind, and gravity. Plant growth, movement of plants and animals, and changes in temperature can also cause physical weathering. When water seeps into cracks and freezes, it expands and results in frost wedging. The expansion widens the cracks and over time pieces of rock can break away or the rock can split.
Temperature changes also cause weathering. Rocks expand in heat and contract in cold. Daily and seasonal changes stress the rock, which then cracks and crumbles. Sometimes exfoliation occurs. Exfoliation is the peeling and wearing of an outer layer. The layers fall off and the rock looks shaggy.
Friction wears away rock through wearing, grinding, and rubbing in a process called abrasion. It happens when rocks hit and rub against each other, helped along by water or moving water. The rock is smoothed by pieces of rock breaking off. Wind can slam sediment into the surface of the rock. Currents can tumble rocks through the water, slamming the rocks together.
Plants and animals also help weathering. Roots grow in cracks in rocks, widening the cracks. Burrowing animals, such as armadillos, can move soil and rocks, which causes weathering. Erosion breaks down rocks into smaller pieces. The smaller pieces are more easily moved from one location to another by water from wind and water. Weathering is the first step in the formation of soil.
Soft rocks erode more quickly than hard rocks. Rocks with more surface area exposed break down more quickly.