Question

question 15
what is salt wedging?
a form of physical weathering where salt crystals growing in cracks pushes grains apart, widening the cracks over time.
a form of chemical weathering where the presence of salt accelerates the breakdown of feldspars.
a form of stream flow where salt water moves inland during severe storms.
a form of mass movement where masses of salt and other evaporites flow slowly downslope.

Explanation:

Salt wedging is a physical weathering process. Physical weathering involves the breakdown of rocks without changing their chemical composition. In salt wedging, salt crystals grow in rock cracks. As they grow, they exert pressure (push grains apart), widening the cracks over time. Chemical weathering (option 2) changes the rock's chemical composition (e.g., feldspar breakdown). Stream flow (option 3) and mass movement (option 4) are about movement of water or materials, not the process described in salt wedging.

Answer:

A. A form of physical weathering where salt crystals growing in cracks pushes grains apart, widening the cracks over time.