Question

The major determining factor for the chemical break down of rocks is their chemical composition. For example, granite and basalt are both igneous rocks with different chemical composition and structure and, therefore, different weathering rates. Rocks with minerals that crystallize late in Bowen's reaction series, like granite, are usually more resistant to chemical weathering than those with minerals that crystallize early, like basalt.

Besides chemical composition, a secondary factor that affects the rate of weathering in such rocks is the amount of cracks/fractures present.
Rank the rocks in order of the rate of chemical weathering they would experience, assuming they are all located in the same warm wet climate.
Rank from slowest to fastest.

Answer 1

Granite is more resistant to chemical weathering than basalt due to its late-crystallizing minerals in Bowen's reaction series. The presence of cracks and fractures also affects the rate of weathering.

Step-by-step explanation:

The rate of chemical weathering of rocks is primarily determined by their chemical composition and structure. Granite and basalt are both igneous rocks with different chemical compositions, leading to different weathering rates. Granite, which contains minerals that crystallize late in Bowen's reaction series, is usually more resistant to chemical weathering compared to basalt, which contains minerals that crystallize early.

However, aside from chemical composition, the presence of cracks and fractures also affects the rate of weathering. Rocks with more cracks and fractures are more susceptible to chemical weathering.

Based on these factors, the ranking of the rocks in terms of their rate of chemical weathering, assuming they are all located in the same warm wet climate, from slowest to fastest would be:

1. Granite
2. Basalt