What process involves the physical stripping of curved plates of rock from a larger mass?

Exfoliation is the correct answer because it refers to the process in which layers or curved plates of rock are stripped away from a larger, underlying mass. This process is primarily associated with igneous and granitic rocks that experience a reduction in pressure when overlying material is removed (due to erosion, for example). As these rocks expand and contract due to temperature changes and geological forces, the outer layers begin to peel off in sheets or flakes, resembling the layers of an onion. This distinct physical weathering process is driven by both thermal expansion and the release of pressure, allowing for the characteristic curved plates to form.

Other processes mentioned in the choices serve different purposes; for instance, weathering encompasses broader chemical and physical breakdown of rocks, while frost wedging specifically involves the freezing and thawing of water in cracks to cause fragmentation. Loam formation is related to soil composition and does not directly involve the physical stripping of rock plates. Thus, exfoliation uniquely characterizes the specific mechanical action described in the question.