Final answer:
Water can be a factor in both chemical and mechanical weathering processes. In mechanical weathering, water acts as an agent to physically break down rocks into smaller fragments. In chemical weathering, water can chemically react with minerals in rocks.
Step-by-step explanation:
Water can be a factor in both chemical and mechanical weathering processes. In mechanical weathering, water acts as an agent to physically break down rocks into smaller fragments through processes like freeze-thaw cycles and abrasion. For example, when water gets into cracks in rocks and freezes, it expands and exerts pressure on the rocks, causing them to break apart. In chemical weathering, water can chemically react with minerals in rocks, causing them to dissolve or undergo chemical changes. This is particularly true for certain types of rocks like limestone, which can be dissolved by acidic water.