Which of the following processes is primarily responsible for the mechanical breakdown of exposed rocks in arid desert environments due to extreme diurnal temperature fluctuations?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Thermal expansion and contraction resulting from extreme daily temperature variations cause different minerals within rocks to expand and contract at unequal rates, leading to granular disintegration and exfoliation. Carbonation, hydration, and oxidation are chemical weathering processes requiring moisture and chemical reactants rather than arid thermal stress. Mechanical weathering breaks rock down without altering its chemical composition. Desert varnish frequently coats exposed rock surfaces in these arid settings.