The term "weathering" can be misleading because it is often associated with precipitation or rain. While this association is not incorrect, weathering in Earth science means much more. Weathering is the process of breaking rocks. This process happens at different rates on the surface of Earth when rocks are exposed to the Sun, wind, rain, sleet, and snow. Weathering is an essential part of the rock cycle. All rocks can go through the process of weathering to become sediment. In this topic, you will investigate the way that rocks can weather, and the rates at which they weather.

Essential Questions

• What are methods of physical weathering, and how do they affect rocks?
• What are methods of chemical weathering, and how do they affect rocks?
• What can affect the rate or degree of weathering of rock?