In fact, any rock can change to become any other type of rock. These changes usually happen very slowly. Some changes happen below Earth’s surface. Some changes happen above ground.

The three main rock types are igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary. The three processes that change one rock to another are crystallization, metamorphism, and erosion and sedimentation. Any rock can transform into any other rock by passing through one or more of these processes. This creates the rock cycle.

Deep rocks may be raised closer to the surface when mountains are pushed up. The new conditions cause the structure of the rock to change and new minerals to grow in place of the original minerals. The rock becomes a metamorphic rock. Like igneous rocks, metamorphic rocks can be raised to Earth’s surface over time.

Water, ice, acids, salts, plants, animals, and changes in temperature are all agents of weathering. Once a rock has been broken down, a process called erosion transports the bits of rock and mineral away. No rock on Earth is hard enough to resist the forces of weathering and erosion.

Some changes are due to slow processes, such as erosion and weathering, and some changes are due to rapid processes, such as landslides, volcanic eruptions, Tsunamis and earthquakes.

Answer: Oxidation is the reaction of rock minerals with oxygen, thus changing the mineral composition of the rock. Carbonation is the process of rock minerals reacting with carbonic acid. Carbonic acid is formed when water combines with carbon dioxide.

Carbonation is a chemical process where the main reactant is the carbon dioxide gas which mainly produces different carbon substances such as carbonates, bicarbonates and carbonic acids. Solution is a mixture of two different substances which are able to completely or partially mix with each other.

As nouns the difference between solution and hydration is that solution is a homogeneous mixture, which may be liquid, gas or solid, formed by dissolving one or more substances while hydration is (chemistry) the incorporation of water molecules into a complex with those of another compound.

A form of weathering where the grains of a rock become loosened and fall out, to leave a pitted, uneven surface.

Example in the deserts. Granular Disintegration: When the agents of weathering, reduce rocks made up of different minerals to small pieces and fragments, it is called granular disintegration. Exfoliation: The changes in temperature may create fissures or cracks in rocks.

1 : consisting of or appearing to consist of granules : grainy. 2 : finely detailed granular reports.

Block disintegration is when the rocks split along joints forming large rectangular shaped blocks. Granular disintegration is when grains of a rock become loosened and fall out, to leave a pitted, uneven surface because of changing temperature.

Chemical weathering by biological action is also known as biological weathering. While physical weathering is most rapid in very cold or very dry environments, chemical reactions are most rapid where the climate is wet and hot.

Block disintegration is caused by repeated contraction and expansion of rocks due to freezing of water at night and their melting during day time. (Happens as a result of temperature changes.

Block disintegration occurs in well-jointed rock just like granite. In this rocks are split along the joints into larger rectangular shaped block. While Granular disintegration process of physical or mechanical weathering due to repeated heat and cooling because of temperature change.

Disintegration involves the breakdown of rock into its constituent minerals or particles with no decay of any rock-forming minerals. Rock alteration usually involves chemical weathering in which the mineral composition of the rock is changed, reorganized, or redistributed.

Physical weathering does disintegration of rock without chemical reaction and the chemical weathering does change in chemical compounds within rock….Weathering :

• Weathering is the breaking of rocks by elements of atmosphere.
• It involves no motion.
• Temperature, frost, wind, plants and animals are its main agents.

Mechanical weathering (also called physical weathering) breaks rock into smaller pieces. These smaller pieces are just like the bigger rock, just smaller. That means the rock has changed physically without changing its composition.

Rocks on a beach are worn down by abrasion as passing waves cause them to strike each other.

• Gravity causes abrasion as a rock tumbles down a mountainside or cliff.
• Moving water causes abrasion as particles in the water collide and bump against one another.
• Strong winds carrying pieces of sand can sandblast surfaces.

1. Surface area — if the rock is broken down into small pieces, it undergoes chemical weathering more readily than does one large piece. Smaller pieces have more surface area for water and gases to react with the rock. Mechanical weathering is effective at increasing surface area.

Erosion happens when rocks and sediments are picked up and moved to another place by ice, water, wind or gravity. Mechanical weathering physically breaks up rock. One example is called frost action or frost shattering. Water gets into cracks and joints in bedrock.

These chippings make new rock fragments to continue with abrasion. Rivers carry fine rock particles (called sediment) that wear away, or abrade, the banks and bed of the river channel. At the same time, stones bump together, gradually grinding one another down and making the stones smaller and more rounded.