Which process is NOT a method of physical weathering?

• A. Oxidation
• B. Freeze and thaw
• C. Abrasion from glaciers
• D. Activity of plants and animals

Answer: (A)

The process identified as NOT a method of physical weathering is oxidation. Physical weathering involves the mechanical breakdown of rocks and minerals without changing their chemical composition. The other options represent processes that physically break apart rocks.

Freeze and thaw processes involve the expansion of water as it freezes in cracks and crevices of rocks, causing them to break apart. Abrasion from glaciers occurs when glaciers move and grind down rock surfaces, effectively wearing them away physically. The activity of plants and animals, such as root growth or burrowing, can also contribute to physical weathering by exerting pressure on rocks and causing them to fracture.

In contrast, oxidation is a chemical weathering process where minerals react with oxygen to form new minerals and compounds, often leading to the alteration of the original material entirely. Since oxidation fundamentally changes the chemical structure of the minerals involved, it is classified as a chemical weathering process rather than a physical one.