ENVS 1060 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Anhydrite, Gypsum, Hydrolysis
16 Dec 2015
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Describe the main processes involved in mechanical weathering and in what environments mechanical weathering is predominant. (ans). Mechanical weathering is the physical breakdown of rocks into smaller segments without changing its chemical composition. This increases the surface area of the rock and leading to increased chemical weathering. Solution is when ions completely dissolve in a solvent such as water. The solution is strictly aqueous (no solid particles). Water is a good solvent because its molecule is eclectically polarized with a more positive end and a more negative end. The positive end of water can easily grab negatively charged ions in a molecule over time. This causes dissolution: explain the process of hydration/dehydration and be able to give an example. (ans). Hydration: is the addition of water molecules to a crystalline structure of certain minerals. Example, when the mineral anhydrite swells with water it becomes gypsum. Dehydration: is the removal of water molecules from a crystalline structure of certain minerals.
