Which process is the breakdown of rock by chemical, biological, freeze-thaw, or onion-skin processes?

Which process is the breakdown of rock by chemical, biological, freeze-thaw, or onion-skin processes?

• A. Hydrological Cycle
• B. Transportation
• C. Waterfalls
• D. Weathering

Answer: (D)

Weathering is the breakdown of rock at or near the Earth's surface through various processes. It includes physical (mechanical) processes like freeze-thaw, where water enters cracks, freezes, expands, and widens the cracks; onion-skin (exfoliation), where outer layers peel away due to temperature changes; and biological weathering, where organisms such as plant roots pry rocks apart. It also covers chemical weathering, where minerals react with water, acids, or gases to dissolve or alter minerals. This is the best fit because the description focuses on rocks being broken down into smaller pieces or altered minerals, rather than moving water, sediments, or landforms. In contrast, the hydrological cycle describes how water moves through the environment, transportation involves the movement of sediments, and waterfalls are features formed mainly by erosion and transport rather than the breakdown of rock itself.

Weathering is the breakdown of rock at or near the Earth's surface through various processes. It includes physical (mechanical) processes like freeze-thaw, where water enters cracks, freezes, expands, and widens the cracks; onion-skin (exfoliation), where outer layers peel away due to temperature changes; and biological weathering, where organisms such as plant roots pry rocks apart. It also covers chemical weathering, where minerals react with water, acids, or gases to dissolve or alter minerals.

This is the best fit because the description focuses on rocks being broken down into smaller pieces or altered minerals, rather than moving water, sediments, or landforms. In contrast, the hydrological cycle describes how water moves through the environment, transportation involves the movement of sediments, and waterfalls are features formed mainly by erosion and transport rather than the breakdown of rock itself.