Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition

Weathering is the process of breaking down rocks and minerals into smaller pieces through physical, chemical, or biological means.

Erosion is the process by which soil and rock are removed from one location and transported to another, often by wind, water, or ice.

Deposition is the process in which sediments, soil, and rocks are added to a landform or land mass, often occurring after erosion.

Mechanical weathering is the physical breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces without changing their chemical composition.

Chemical weathering involves the chemical alteration of minerals in rocks, often leading to the formation of new minerals.

An example of a physical change is ice melting into water.

Greater temperatures allow chemical reactions to occur more quickly.

Frost wedging is a type of mechanical weathering where water seeps into cracks in rocks, freezes, and expands, causing the rock to break apart.

Abrasion is the process of scraping or wearing away of rocks and soil due to friction and contact with other materials.

The rock cycle is a continuous process where rocks are formed, broken down, and reformed through geological processes like weathering, erosion, and deposition.