How does granite break up?

Granite breaks up primarily through weathering processes, including physical, chemical, and biological mechanisms. Physical weathering, such as freeze-thaw cycles, causes cracks to expand and eventually fragment the rock. Chemical weathering, involving reactions with water, acids, and gases, can weaken the mineral structure, leading to disintegration. Additionally, biological activity, such as plant roots growing into cracks, can exert pressure that further breaks apart the granite.