* Water: Water can freeze in cracks in rocks and expand, causing the rock to break apart (this is called frost wedging). Water can also dissolve certain minerals in rocks, weakening them over time.
* Air: Oxygen in the air can react with minerals in rocks, causing them to change and break down. Wind can also wear down rocks by carrying sand and other abrasive particles.
* Living organisms: Plant roots can grow into cracks in rocks and break them apart. Animals can dig burrows or move rocks, exposing them to weathering. Lichens and other organisms can also secrete acids that dissolve rock.
These are just some of the ways rocks are broken down over time. The process of weathering is essential for the formation of soil and the creation of new landforms.
