What is physical weathering?

Physical weathering refers to the mechanical breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces without altering their chemical composition. This process can occur through various natural forces, such as temperature fluctuations, the freeze-thaw cycle, abrasion, and root growth, which apply stress to the rocks, causing them to fracture and break apart.

The key aspect of physical weathering is that while the structure of the rock is changed—typically resulting in smaller fragments—the mineral composition of the rock remains the same throughout the process. This distinguishes it from chemical weathering, where the minerals are transformed into different substances due to chemical reactions. Understanding this distinction is important in geology, as it helps clarify how landscapes evolve and how soil formation occurs.