Chapter 13: Problem 19

What is hydration? What is hydrolysis? Differentiate between these processes. How do they affect rocks?

Short Answer

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Hydration is a chemical process where a substance combines with water, which in geochemistry often results in minerals incorporating water into their structure. Hydrolysis is a process where a compound reacts with water, leading to its decomposition, often changing the mineral composition of rocks. Both processes impact rocks by leading to their physical and chemical alteration – hydration primarily causes physical changes, such as expansion, while hydrolysis changes the mineral composition, making rocks more susceptible to erosion.

Step by step solution

Definition of Hydration

Hydration is a chemical process where a substance combines with water. In geochemistry, many minerals have a significant amount of water in their structure, which is introduced to them through the process of hydration. For instance, when anhydrite (CaSO4) comes into contact with water, it undergoes hydration to become gypsum (CaSO4•2H2O).\n

Definition of Hydrolysis

Hydrolysis is another chemical process, wherein a compound reacts with water to break down into other compounds. In the case of minerals, this process often results in their decomposition. For example, feldspars (common rock-forming minerals) can undergo hydrolysis to form clay minerals and soluble ions.\n

Differentiating Hydration and Hydrolysis

The main difference between these two processes is that in hydration, water is incorporated into a mineral's structure, while in hydrolysis, water causes the mineral to break down into other substances. Both of these processes are driven by water, but their outcomes are different.\n

Effects of Hydration and Hydrolysis on Rocks

Both processes significantly affect rocks, especially when it comes to weathering – the breakdown of rocks at the Earth's surface. Hydration can lead to physical changes in the rock such as expansion, which can lead to the rock cracking or fragmenting. On the other hand, hydrolysis can alter the mineral composition of a rock, turning hard minerals into softer ones, and making the rock more susceptible to erosion.\n

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What is hydration? What is hydrolysis? Differentiate between these processes. How do they affect rocks?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Definition of Hydration

Definition of Hydrolysis

Differentiating Hydration and Hydrolysis

Effects of Hydration and Hydrolysis on Rocks

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