factors that affect the rate of chemical weathering
TRANSCRIPT
Factors that Affect the Rate of Chemical Weathering
Climate
• Climate- the average weather conditions in an area over a long period of time
• Two elements of climate affect the weathering rate of rocks:– Temperature– Moisture
Climate: Rainforest
• Climate: – Temperature: Hot– Moisture: Very Humid
• Very high rate of weathering
Climate: Tundra
• Climate–Temperature: Cold–Moisture: Dry
• Very slow rate of weathering
Surface Area
• The more surface area there is, the faster the rate of weathering
• As rocks get mechanically weathered into smaller pieces, the rate of chemical weathering increases
• The more surface area, the more places for the chemical to react.
Surface Area
Rock Composition
• Some rocks will weather faster because some minerals weather faster than other minerals
Fast Weathering Minerals
Feldspar Calcite
Slow Weathering Minerals
Quartz Corundum