Final answer:
Weathering is the breakdown of Earth materials, leading to soil formation, and differs from erosion, which moves these materials. It includes mechanical weathering, which breaks rocks physically, and chemical weathering, which alters their chemical composition. Climate significantly affects the type and rate of weathering.
Step-by-step explanation:
Weathering is the process that breaks down existing Earth materials, including rocks and minerals, leading to the formation of soil. This process can be due to various mechanical and chemical interactions. It's crucial to differentiate between weathering and erosion; while weathering pertains to the breakdown of rocks, erosion is the transporting of these broken materials elsewhere through agents like water, wind, and ice.
Two main types of weathering exist: mechanical weathering and chemical weathering. Mechanical weathering involves the physical breakdown of rocks without altering their chemical composition, via processes such as frost wedging, thermal expansion, and biological activity. On the other hand, chemical weathering changes the chemical makeup of materials through interactions with water, acids, and other chemicals, leading to products like clay from feldspar.
The weathering process is closely related to climate, as environmental conditions like temperature and moisture levels greatly influence the rate and type of weathering that occurs. For example, in warm, humid climates, chemical weathering is predominant, while in cold, dry regions, physical weathering is more common.