The statement highlights a fundamental synergistic relationship in rock degradation: physical weathering significantly enhances the effectiveness of chemical weathering. Physical (mechanical) weathering processes, such as frost wedging, exfoliation, and root penetration, break down rocks into smaller, unconnected fragments without altering their chemical composition.

The crucial impact of physical weathering is the immense increase in the total surface area exposed to the environment. Chemical weathering processes, including dissolution, hydrolysis, and oxidation, operate primarily on the exterior surfaces of rock particles. When a large rock mass is fragmented into numerous smaller pieces by physical weathering, the cumulative surface area available for chemical reactions expands dramatically. For instance, a solid granite boulder chemically weathers slowly. However, if frost wedging shatters it into smaller blocks and grains, water and dissolved acids (like carbonic acid from rain) can penetrate much deeper and react far more efficiently with minerals like feldspars or iron-bearing components. Thus, physical breakdown directly accelerates the rate and extent of chemical alteration.