Question

question 3 which of the following characteristics of water can be responsible for mechanical weathering? water expands when it freezes. water combines with atmospheric gases to form acid precipitation. water reacts with and can dissolve many kinds of minerals. water flows downstream under gravity.

Explanation:

Mechanical weathering involves physical processes breaking rocks. Water expanding when freezing (e.g., in rock cracks) exerts pressure, breaking rocks physically. The other options involve chemical reactions (acid precipitation, dissolving minerals) or movement (gravity - driven flow), not mechanical weathering.

Answer:

A. Water expands when it freezes.