Mechanical weathering is the physical breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces without changing the chemical composition of the rock. This can be caused by processes such as freezing and thawing, abrasion, or pressure release.
Chemical weathering is the breakdown of rocks by chemical reactions that change the chemical composition of the rock. This can be caused by processes such as oxidation, hydrolysis, or carbonation.
The acids from roots that break up rocks are an example of chemical weathering because they change the chemical composition of the rocks. The acids react with the minerals in the rocks, causing them to break down into smaller pieces.
