What is weathering?

Weathering is the process by which rocks and minerals are broken down into smaller pieces through exposure to the atmosphere, water, and biological organisms. There are two main types of weathering: mechanical weathering, which involves physical processes such as freezing and thawing, and chemical weathering, which involves chemical reactions that break down the minerals in rocks. Weathering plays a key role in the formation of soil and the shaping of Earth's surface over time.

Weathering is the process by which Earth's materials are changed into smaller pieces or dissolved. Weathering can be caused by wind, water, ice, heat, or living things.