Weathering processes form spheroidally weathered boulders, differentially weathered landforms, sheet joints, and exfoliation domes.

Mechanical weathering, largely caused by frost action, abrasion during transportation, and pressure release after unloading, disintegrates (breaks) rocks into smaller pieces.

By increasing the exposed surface area of rocks, mechanical weathering helps speed chemical weathering.

Chemical weathering results when a mineral is unstable in the presence of water and atmospheric gases. As chemical weathering proceeds, the mineral's components recombine into new minerals that are more in equilibrium.

Weak acid, primarily from the solution of carbon dioxide in water, is the most effective agent of chemical weathering.

Calcite dissolves when it is chemically weathered. Most of the silicate minerals form clay minerals when they chemically weather. Quartz is very resistant to chemical weathering.

Soil develops by chemical and mechanical weathering of a parent material. Some definitions of soil require that it contain organic matter and be able to support plant growth.

Soils, which can be residual or transported, usually have distinguishable layers, or horizons, caused in part by water movement within the soil.

Climate is the most important factor determining soil type. Other factors in soil development are parent rock, time, slope, and organic activity.

Pedalfers are soils characterized by downward leaching. Pedocals are soils marked by salt precipitation caused by evaporation of upward-moving soil water.

Laterites form under conditions of intense tropical weathering; they are usually red from concentrated iron oxides. Bauxite, the ore of aluminum, may be found in laterites.