1.

The difference between erosion and weathering is that erosion involves movement while
weathering takes place without movement. Both processes are involved in the decomposition of
rocks.

2. What is Physical Weathering?

Physical weathering is also called as mechanical weathering. This is the process where
rocks breakdown without altering their chemical composition. Physical weathering can
occur due to temperature, pressure or snow. There are two main types of physical
weathering. They are freeze thaw and exfoliation.
Freeze-thaw is the process where water goes into the cracks of the rock, then freezes
and expands. This expansion causes rock to break apart. Changing temperature also
causes rocks to expand and contract. When this happens over a period of time, rock
parts starts to break down. Due to the pressure, cracks can be developed parallel to the
land surface which leads to exfoliation.
Physical weathering is prominent in the places where there is little soil and few plants.
For example, in desserts surface rocks are subjected to regular expansion and
contraction due to temperature changes. Also, in mountain tops, snow keeps melting
and freezing which causes physical weathering there.
What is Chemical Weathering?
Chemical weathering is the decomposition of rocks due to chemical reactions. This
changes the composition of the rock. This often takes place when rain water reacts with
minerals and rocks. Rain water is slightly acidic (due to dissolution of atmospheric
carbon dioxide, carbonic acid is produced), and when the acidity increases chemical
weathering also increases. With the global pollution, acid rains occur now, and this
increases chemical weathering more than the natural rate.