1. Weathering: This is the breakdown of existing rocks, minerals, and other materials at the Earth's surface. Weathering can be physical (mechanical) or chemical.
* Physical weathering involves the breaking down of rocks into smaller pieces without changing their chemical composition. Examples include frost wedging, abrasion, and biological weathering.
* Chemical weathering involves the alteration of the chemical composition of rocks through processes like oxidation, hydrolysis, and dissolution.
2. Erosion and Deposition: This involves the transport of weathered material by wind, water, or ice and the subsequent settling and accumulation of these sediments in a new location.
* Erosion is the process of moving weathered material from its original location.
* Deposition is the process of dropping the sediments in a new location, typically in a basin or low-lying area.
These two processes work together to form sedimentary rocks. Weathering provides the raw materials (sediments), and erosion and deposition transport and accumulate them in a new location where they can eventually be cemented together to form rock.
