Summary:
- Chemical weathering works through chemical reactions that change the rock.
- Minerals that were stable deeper in the crust are not stable under surface conditions.
- Carbon dioxide and oxygen are also agents of chemical weathering.
- Chemical weathering changes the composition of a mineral to break it down.
- As rock breaks into smaller pieces, the surface area of the pieces increases.
- As plant roots take in nutrients, they remove elements from the minerals.
- This causes a chemical change in the rock that is called oxidation.
- Carbonic acid is a common, weak acid found in nature.
- This acid works to dissolve rock.