Final answer:
Pressure release is a type of mechanical weathering where deep, pressure-formed rocks expand and fracture when exposed at the surface, contrasting with dissolving which is chemical weathering.
Step-by-step explanation:
Among the choices provided, pressure release is an example of mechanical weathering. Mechanical weathering involves the physical breakdown of rocks without changing their chemical composition. Pressure release occurs when rocks formed under great pressure deep within the Earth are exposed at the surface, leading to the expansion and fracturing of the material.
This process can lead to the formation of sheet-like cracks and result in the breaking off of layers or sheets of rock, a phenomenon known as exfoliation. In contrast, dissolving is a process related to chemical weathering, where water or other chemicals dissolve the minerals within the rocks, altering their chemical composition.