Do big rocks weather faster than small rocks?
Large rocks have less surface area for their volume than small rocks. Therefore, a smaller portion of the rock is exposed to weathering. It takes longer for the rock to wear away. The small rock has more surface area for its vol- ume, so it weathers away faster.
Why do some rocks weather faster than others?
Minerals that are most reactive when mixed with water, oxygen or other elements will weather more rapidly. The presence of iron in rocks causes them to weather more quickly and break apart more easily. Some minerals are softer than others, and therefore rocks that contain these minerals will weather more rapidly.
How long will it take to weather big rocks?
In fact, some instances of mechanical and chemical weathering may take hundreds of years. An example would be the dissolving of limestone through carbonation. Limestone dissolves at an average rate of about one-twentieth of a centimeter every 100 years.
What rocks will likely weather the least?
Igneous rocks, especially intrusive igneous rocks such as granite, weather slowly because it is hard for water to penetrate them. Other types of rock, such as limestone, are easily weathered because they dissolve in weak acids. Rocks that resist weathering remain at the surface and form ridges or hills.
Which rock weathers most rapidly when exposed to acid rain?
Ero/Dep review 1
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Which rock weathers most rapidly when exposed to acid rain (calcite) | limestone |
| Which change in climate would most likely cause the greatest increase in chemical weathering of local bedrock? | more rain |
| Which factor has the most influence on the development of soil? | climate |
Which will weather faster a rock containing a lot of iron or a rock made up of mostly quartz?
Weathering occurs fastest in hot, wet climates. It occurs very slowly in hot and dry climates. Without temperature changes, ice wedging cannot occur. In very cold, dry areas, there is little weathering.