EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Weathering: The disintegration and decomposition of rock at or near the surface of the earth (breaking up rocks). This is the most important mechanical weathering process of them all! examples are potholes, cracks in sidewalks, rocks found on mountain roads etc.

Detailed explanation-2: -Ice wedging This refers to the repeated freezing and melting of water within small crevices in the rock surface. This expansion and contraction is also a major cause of potholes in streets.

Detailed explanation-3: -Mechanical weathering breaks rock into pieces by freezing and thawing (potholes), release of pressure (like an onion), growth of plants (roots on trees), actions of animals (gopher), and abrasion (smooth rocks on beach).

Detailed explanation-4: -Mechanical weathering involves mechanical processes that break up a rock: for example, ice freezing and expanding in cracks in the rock; tree roots growing in similar cracks; expansion and contraction of rock in areas with high daytime and low nighttime temperatures; cracking of rocks in forest fires, and so forth.