* Physical Weathering: This process breaks down rocks and minerals into smaller pieces without changing their chemical composition.
* Chemical Weathering: This process alters the chemical makeup of rocks and minerals, leading to the formation of new substances.
How Ice Wedging Works (Physical Weathering):
1. Water seeps into cracks: Water enters cracks and crevices in rocks.
2. Freezing: When temperatures drop below freezing, the water in the cracks expands as it freezes into ice.
3. Expansion and pressure: This expansion puts immense pressure on the rock, widening the crack.
4. Repeated freezing and thawing: The cycle of freezing and thawing continues, causing the crack to grow larger and eventually break the rock apart.
Key Takeaway: Ice wedging is a physical weathering process because it only breaks down rocks into smaller pieces, without altering their chemical composition.
