To determine which city's rocks are likeliest to experience frost wedging, we need to understand what conditions favor this process. Frost wedging occurs when water enters cracks in rocks, freezes, expands, and eventually causes the rock to break apart. The necessary conditions for frost wedging include:
1. A wet climate, as the presence of water is crucial.
2. Temperatures that fluctuate around the freezing point (0°C), allowing the water to freeze and thaw repeatedly.
Given the data from the table, let's analyze each city:
- City A:
- Climate: dry
- Day Temperature: -17°C
- Night Temperature: -30°C
Since City A has a dry climate and both day and night temperatures are well below freezing, there is not much opportunity for water to enter the cracks of rocks and then freeze. Thus, frost wedging is unlikely here.
- City B:
- Climate: wet
- Day Temperature: 5°C
- Night Temperature: -4°C
City B has a wet climate and temperatures that fluctuate around the freezing point. During the day, temperatures rise above freezing, allowing water to enter cracks in rocks. At night, temperatures drop below freezing, causing the water to freeze and expand. These conditions are ideal for frost wedging.
- City C:
- Climate: wet
- Day Temperature: 14°C
- Night Temperature: 6°C
Although City C has a wet climate, the temperatures are consistently above freezing, both day and night. Without freezing temperatures, frost wedging cannot occur here.
- City D:
- Climate: dry
- Day Temperature: 26°C
- Night Temperature: 17°C
City D has a dry climate and high temperatures both during the day and at night. These conditions are far from what is needed for frost wedging to take place.
Based on this analysis, the city whose rocks are likeliest to experience frost wedging is:
B. City B because it is a wet region and the temperature fluctuates around the freezing point.
Thus, the correct answer is City B.
