Which of the following best describes chemical weathering?

• A. The breakdown of rocks through reactions that change their chemical composition
• B. The movement of rock particles by wind or water
• C. The melting of rocks due to high temperatures
• D. The physical fragmentation of rocks without altering their chemical makeup

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that chemical weathering involves changes in the chemical composition of rocks, meaning the minerals within the rocks react with substances like water, oxygen, or acids.
2. Recognize that physical weathering, in contrast, involves the mechanical breakdown of rocks without changing their chemical structure, such as fragmentation or abrasion.
3. Identify that processes like melting due to high temperatures are related to geological changes but not classified as weathering.
4. Note that the movement of rock particles by wind or water is a form of erosion or transport, not weathering itself.
5. Conclude that the best description of chemical weathering is the breakdown of rocks through reactions that change their chemical composition.