The video on erosion and weathering basics explains several vital concepts. First of all, it is the difference between weathering and erosion. The speaker uses real-life examples to define what each concept means, which makes it easier to grasp. Weathering means the change in the structure of the ground or material, while erosion is associated with the movement of this material. In addition, the author illustrates the process of chemical weathering by adding vinegar to baking soda. Further, the video elaborates on the agents of weathering and erosion, such as water, wind, gravity, and even ice. Finally, the author talks about different mechanical and physical weathering types, such as abrasions, ice and frost wedging, and exfoliation. Abrasion refers to the collision of Earth material, exfoliation is a process of peeling away rocks in sheets, and ice wedging is weathering caused by the frosting and solidifying of liquids.
The second video on chemical weathering is narrated by the same speaker and focuses on the specific weathering caused by chemical reactions. The first type mentioned is hydrolysis, a material’s response to water. The second essential chemical reaction that causes weathering is oxidation, which happens when the material is exposed to oxygen. This process is also known as rust, which is the name of the reaction between Ferrum and Oxygen. Carbonation is the third type of chemical weathering, and it stands for the reaction of mixing water with carbon dioxide to produce carbonic acid. The lichens such as moss also produce plant acids, which cause alteration of material. Yet, acid precipitation has a much more significant impact on the materials as there is a diverse scope of acids that cause chemical weathering.