Question

How do plants cause weathering?

Answer 1

Hint: Weathering is breaking down rocks, minerals and soils into smaller pieces by means of atmospheric pressures ( wind, water) and also by biological organisms like plants and animals.

Complete answer: Weathering can be summarized into three types: Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering and Mechanical Weathering.
 Biological Weathering - This type of weathering is caused by plants and animals. The plants and animals have acids inside them and when they release theri acid it converts into chemicals that further results in weathering and breaking down of rocks and minerals and other types of landforms.
Chemical Weathering - It is a type of weathering in which the decomposition of rocks takes place and that changes the chemical composition.
Mechanical Weathering - It is the type of weathering which involves breaking of rocks and destruction into smaller pieces , it usually takes place because of physical force.

Plants and its root also cause weathering which is mechanical type of weathering. Roots tend to form nooks and crannies that when get older , expand and result in weathering of rocks. Another way by which plants cause weathering is when they are yanked out of ground by wind or when they fall over after a certain age. The root system penetrates below the surface of the soil and attach themselves with rocks. When the tree dies and falls over the roots clinging to the rocks throw up and thus cause weathering.

Note: Do not get confused between different types of weathering. Weathering by plants comes under biological weathering whereas weathering by decomposition of rocks comes under Chemical weathering and weathering by any physical force comes under Mechanical force.