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Frost wedging is NOT a significant agent in producing ________.

A) sand
B) dust
C) mechanical weathering effects
D) clay
E) large boulder

User Marandus
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1 Answer

2 votes

Final answer:

Frost wedging is a physical weathering process that breaks down rocks but is not a significant agent in producing large boulders. It tends to create smaller fragments such as sand and dust and contributes to the mechanical weathering of rocks.

Step-by-step explanation:

Frost wedging is a physical weathering process where water seeps into cracks in rocks, freezes, and expands, thereby exerting pressure and causing the rock to break apart. Based on this process, frost wedging is NOT a significant agent in producing large boulders. Instead, it tends to create smaller rock fragments such as sand and dust, and contributes to mechanical weathering effects by breaking down rocks into finer materials.

Over time, this weathering process creates a layer of disintegrated rock that varies in size from gravel to sand and clay. Quartz, which is highly resistant to erosion and prevalent in sand-sized grains, survives the weathering process better than most minerals. In contrast, feldspar weathers chemically and becomes clay, indicating the original material wasn't transported far from its source.

Therefore, in the context of the choices provided, frost wedging is not a significant agent in producing large boulder (E).

User Elspeth
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