Question

Discuss the role of water in the process of chemical weathering.

Answer 1

Water plays an important role in chemical weathering. The carbon dioxide in atmosphere dissolves in rainwater and form carbonic acid and reacts with minerals in the rocks. The soluble minerals dissolve in water, such as feedspars and potash, absorb water, and become a powdery mass of clay. Similarly, soluble minerals dissolve and are removed, resulting in the breakup of the rocks. Rock salt, gypsum, and silica are examples of minerals that are highly soluble and when rainfall falls they decompose.