Which of the following is/are the applied forces in mechanical weathering process?
1.Gravitational force
2.Expansion force
3.Force due to water pressure
Select the answer using the code given below:

The correct answer is 4) 1, 2 and 3.

Key Points

• Gravitational force contributes to mechanical weathering through processes like landslides, rockfall, and soil creep, breaking down rocks.
• Expansion force, such as thermal expansion, causes rocks to crack due to temperature changes, where materials expand and contract repeatedly.
• Water pressure, especially in freeze-thaw cycles, exerts significant force on rock crevices, leading to their fragmentation over time.
• These forces, acting individually or in combination, are key drivers of the physical breakdown of rocks into smaller particles without changing their chemical composition.
• Mechanical weathering is crucial for soil formation and plays a vital role in shaping the Earth's surface.

Additional Information

• Mechanical Weathering: It is the process of breaking down rocks into smaller fragments through physical forces without altering their chemical composition.
• Freeze-Thaw Weathering: Occurs when water enters cracks in rocks, freezes, and expands, leading to rock disintegration.
• Thermal Expansion: Rocks expand when heated and contract when cooled. Repeated cycles of expansion and contraction can cause them to fracture.
• Abrasion: Physical scraping of rocks caused by particles carried by wind, water, or ice, leading to surface erosion.
• Unloading and Exfoliation: Removal of overlying material reduces pressure on rocks, causing outer layers to peel off in sheets, a process known as exfoliation.