Which one of the following is not an example of chemical weathering?

Correct option is C

The correct answer is (c) Salt Crystal Growth.
Salt Crystal Growth is not an example of chemical weathering; it is an example of physical (mechanical) weathering. This process occurs when water containing dissolved salts enters cracks and pores in rocks. When the water evaporates, the salt crystallizes, and the growing crystals exert pressure on the rock, causing it to break apart. This process is physical because it involves mechanical breakdown without any change in the chemical composition of the rock.
On the other hand:
Acid action: Involves the reaction of minerals with acids (e.g., carbonic acid formed when CO₂ dissolves in water), leading to chemical changes and breakdown of the rock.
Hydrolysis: This is a chemical reaction between minerals and water, resulting in the formation of new minerals and the decomposition of the original rock material.
Oxidation: Involves the reaction of minerals, especially those containing iron, with oxygen. This process forms oxides, such as rust, and alters the chemical structure of the rock.
Information Booster:
● Salt Crystal Growth is a mechanical weathering process common in arid and coastal regions where evaporation rates are high. ● Chemical weathering involves the breakdown of rocks through chemical reactions with water, acids, and gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide. ● Oxidation and hydrolysis are key processes in chemical weathering that alter the mineral composition of rocks. ● Acid action often leads to the dissolution of limestone and other carbonate rocks, forming features like caves and sinkholes.