Question

The decay of rocks on the surface of the earth is called _______?

Answer 1

Hint: The rocks are broken down into smaller particles by the alterations in weather conditions. The altering conditions of warm, cold, moisture, etc. causes the shattering of rock particles. The broken-down particles of rock eventually form soil.

Complete answer:
The rocks are shattered, and broken down into smaller particles by nature. This process is known as weathering of rocks. This weathering occurs due to altered changes in the weather and season of the place. The hot summer days expand the rocks, and at night when the temperature falls, the rocks contract. This varied expansion and contraction of rocks over time builds cracks in the rocks.
Water also plays an important role in this weathering process. In the cracks that build up within the rocks eventually, water seeps into those cracks during the rainy days. At night, especially in the colder areas and deserts where temperature becomes very low at night, the water freezes. And we all are well accustomed to the fact that water expands when it freezes. Thus, the repeated expansion and contraction of water increases the cracks and ultimately the rocks get broken into smaller rock particles. This process continues and ultimately the rock particles are broken down into fine particles of soil or sand.

Note:
Weathering is more prominent in areas where the temperature and climatic conditions changes are much more prominent, like the desert and the polar regions. In the tropical areas, weathering occurs slowly. Weathering is a natural process and it takes many years just to produce a small handful of soil. Certain lichens also secrete chemicals that cause decay of the rock surface.