One of the most common forms of weathering in areas that have frequent freeze/thaw cycles is ice wedging. This type of mechanical weathering breaks apart rocks and other materials using the expansion of freezing water. Water seeps into small cracks in a rock where it freezes, expands and causes the crack to widen.

Frost wedging (or ice wedging) happens when water seeps into cracks, then expands upon freezing. The expansion enlarges the cracks (Figure 8.4). Rocks break apart when ice expands in pre-existing cracks.

When ice melts, liquid water performs the act of erosion by carrying away the tiny rock fragments lost in the split. This specific process (the freeze-thaw cycle) is called frost weathering or cryofracturing. Temperature changes can also contribute to mechanical weathering in a process called thermal stress.

Frost wedging is a form of physical weathering that involves the physical breaking of a rock. It typically occurs in areas with extremely cold conditions with sufficient rainfall. The repeated freezing and thawing of water found in the cracks of rocks (called joints) pushes the rock to the breaking point.

Yes, rocks are solids, though not all of them will have frozen and there’s a minor complication about what we mean by freezing for some rocks. Firstly note that sedimentary rocks formed by chemical processes so they were never liquid. So although these rocks are solid, they haven’t frozen.

The formation of ice can also break rocks. If water gets into a crack in a rock and then freezes, it expands and pushes the crack further apart.

Water is not a mineral; however, it freezes into ice, which is a mineral. Some authors believe that water should be considered to be a “mineraloid,” a material that meets some of the requirements of being a mineral but falls short.

Share on Pinterest There is no evidence that drinking cold water is bad for health. According to the Indian traditions of Ayurvedic medicine, cold water can cause an imbalance to the body and slow down the digestive process.

If we’re just going about our day to day routines, cold water is best. Water between 50 and 72 degrees allows our bodies to rehydrate faster because it is absorbed more quickly. Many people think that drinking cold water will help them lose weight faster because the body has to work harder to warm it.

The correct way to drink water is to sit down with a glass of water, and drink it sip by sip. One should consume at least 2-3 litres of water in a day. Drinking room temperature water over very cold water should be preferred.