Which one among the following processes is NOT part of chemical weathering?

Correct option is D

The correct answer is (d) Thawing.
Explanation: Thawing is not a process of chemical weathering; instead, it is related to physical or mechanical weathering. Mechanical weathering involves physical processes that break down rocks without altering their chemical composition. Thawing, often associated with the freeze-thaw cycle, causes physical disintegration of rocks due to the expansion of water as it freezes and contracts when it melts. This repeated freezing and thawing process can lead to cracks and eventually break rocks apart, which is purely physical and not chemical.
Information Booster:
· Solution: A chemical process where minerals dissolve in water, often affecting soluble rocks like limestone.
· Hydration: This process involves the absorption of water into mineral structures, leading to expansion and weakening of the mineral structure.
· Reduction: A chemical reaction that occurs in minerals, particularly those with iron content, where oxidation states change due to the gain or loss of electrons in reaction with environmental conditions.