1. Weathering: This is the breakdown of the igneous rock into smaller pieces.

* Physical Weathering: This involves the mechanical breakdown of the rock. Think of things like:

* Frost wedging: Water seeps into cracks, freezes, expands, and widens the cracks.

* Abrasion: Rocks bump and grind against each other, breaking down into smaller pieces.

* Thermal expansion/contraction: Temperature changes cause the rock to expand and contract, eventually leading to cracks.

* Chemical Weathering: This involves chemical reactions that break down the rock's minerals. Think of things like:

* Acid rain: Acidic rainwater reacts with minerals in the rock, dissolving them.

* Oxidation: Oxygen reacts with iron minerals in the rock, forming rust (iron oxide) which weakens the rock.

* Hydrolysis: Water reacts with minerals in the rock, breaking them down.

2. Erosion: This is the transport of the weathered rock fragments (now sediment) away from their original location. This can be done by:

* Wind: Wind carries small sediment particles like sand and dust.

* Water: Rivers, streams, waves, and glaciers can carry sediment of various sizes.

* Gravity: Sediment can roll, slide, or fall down slopes due to gravity.

3. Deposition: This is the process where the transported sediment is laid down or dropped in a new location.

* Rivers: Rivers deposit sediment as their speed slows down.

* Oceans: Waves deposit sediment along coastlines.

* Glaciers: Glaciers deposit sediment as they melt.

* Wind: Wind deposits sediment in dunes or as loess (fine, wind-blown silt).

Once the sediment is deposited, it can then be compacted and cemented together to form sedimentary rock.

In summary: Igneous rock is first broken down into smaller pieces by weathering, then transported by erosion, and finally deposited to form sediment.