Here's a breakdown of how these processes create sedimentary rocks:
* Weathering: The breakdown of existing rocks into smaller pieces.
* Erosion: The transportation of these weathered pieces by wind, water, or ice.
* Deposition: The settling of the transported material in a new location, often in layers.
* Compaction: The weight of overlying sediment presses down on the deposited layers, squeezing out water and air.
* Cementation: Dissolved minerals in the water seep into the spaces between the sediment particles and crystallize, binding them together.
Examples of sedimentary rocks include sandstone, limestone, shale, and conglomerate.