Soil formation begins with the weathering and erosion of rock to form smaller particles, such as sand and clay. Weathering processes cause chemical or physical changes to the parent rock. Which of these is an example of the chemical weathering of rock?

Question

Wind blows sand against the rock that causes small pieces to be carried away.
Water freezes and expands in the pores of the rock that causes the rock to break.
Tree roots reach down into small cracks of rock and split the rock when the roots continue to grow.
Rainwater causes minerals in rocks to change, which causes the rocks to break into smaller pieces.

Answer 1

The example of chemical weathering of rock is:

Rainwater causes minerals in rocks to change, which causes the rocks to break into smaller pieces.

This process involves chemical reactions that alter the mineral composition of the rock, leading to its breakdown. The other examples you provided demonstrate physical or mechanical weathering processes.