What is the relationship between surface area and weathering rate (time)?

The surface area of a rock and the rate of weathering is directly related to one another. When a rock of large surface area is exposed to the atmosphere, then the factors such as rainfall, temperature, wind will affect the rock by weathering and erosion, depending upon the latitude of the area.

In the high latitudinal areas, these fractures in the rocks can trap the water during rainfall, and this water at night freezes as a result of which the volume of water increases by about 9%. Due to this the volume expands and exerts a force that ultimately leads to the weathering of rocks. The surface area when exposed more including these fractures

Due to the frequent changing of the temperature in some regions, the rocks undergo the expansion and contraction process. As a result of which the rock fractures and weathers.

In the tropical region, because of the maximum amount of sunlight and rainfall, the rocks are more prone to weathering. The agents namely wind, water will directly flow over the surface of the rock, thereby breaking down the rock particles. So the rate of weathering (both physical and chemical) is higher when the rock surfaces are highly exposed.