The correct answer to how temperature changes and water in rock cracks speed up the breakdown of rocks is:
1. Freezing water expands in the rock cracks.
When water seeps into cracks in rocks and then freezes due to low temperatures, it expands as it turns into ice. This expansion exerts pressure on the rocks, causing them to crack and break apart over time. This process, known as freeze-thaw weathering, is particularly effective in regions like the Grand Canyon where temperature variations are significant.
By understanding how freezing water expands in rock cracks, you can grasp how temperature changes and water play a crucial role in accelerating the breakdown of rocks through physical weathering processes.
