Consider the following statements about the weathering: A very little ...
To answer this question, let's analyze each statement one by one:
1. A very little or no motion of materials takes place in weathering.
The statement is incorrect. Weathering is the process of breaking down and altering rocks and minerals at or near the Earth's surface. It involves the disintegration and decomposition of rocks into smaller particles. This process can be facilitated by various factors such as water, wind, temperature changes, and biological activity. These factors cause the movement of materials, leading to the breakdown and transportation of rock particles.
2. Carbonation is a common process of breaking down feldspars and carbonate minerals.
The statement is correct. Carbonation is a chemical weathering process that occurs when carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere dissolves in water to form carbonic acid (H2CO3). This weak acid reacts with certain minerals, including feldspars and carbonate minerals, breaking them down and forming new compounds. For example, carbonation can dissolve calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in limestone, leading to the formation of caves and other karst features.
3. Physical weathering processes are caused by thermal expansion and pressure release.
The statement is correct. Physical weathering refers to the breakdown of rocks into smaller fragments without any change in their chemical composition. Thermal expansion and pressure release are two common processes that cause physical weathering. When rocks are heated or cooled, they expand or contract, respectively. This repeated expansion and contraction due to temperature changes can lead to the disintegration of rocks. Similarly, when overlying rocks are eroded or removed, the pressure on the underlying rocks is released, causing them to crack and break apart.
Therefore, the correct answer is option B) 1, 2, and 3.
Consider the following statements about the weathering: A very little ...
- Weathering is defined as mechanical disintegration and chemical decomposition of rocks through the actions of various elements of weather and climate.
- As very little or no motion of materials takes place in weathering, it is an in-situ or on-site process. Hence statement 1 is correct.
- There are three major groups of weathering processes:
- chemical;
- physical or mechanical;
- biological weathering processes.
- Very rarely does any one of these processes ever operate completely by itself, but quite often a dominance of one process can be seen.
- Physical or mechanical weathering processes depend on some applied forces. The applied forces could be:
- gravitational forces such as overburden pressure, load and shearing stress;
- expansion forces due to temperature changes, crystal growth or animal activity;
- water pressures controlled by wetting and drying cycles.
Many of these forces are applied both at the surface and within different earth materials leading to rock fracture. Most of the physical weathering processes are caused by thermal expansion and pressure release. These processes are small and slow but can cause great damage to the rocks because of continued fatigue the rocks suffer due to repetition of contraction and expansion. Hence statement 3 is correct.
- Carbonation is the reaction of carbonate and bicarbonate with minerals and is a common process helping the breaking down of feldspars and carbonate minerals. Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and soil air is absorbed by water, to form carbonic acid that acts as a weak acid. Calcium carbonates and magnesium carbonates are dissolved in carbonic acid and are removed in a solution without leaving any residue resulting in cave formation. Hence statement 2 is correct.
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