Here's a breakdown:

* Weathering: The process of breaking down rocks into smaller pieces due to exposure to elements like wind, rain, ice, and temperature changes.

* Rock particles: The small pieces of rock created by weathering.

* Sediments: A general term for any loose, solid material that is transported and deposited by wind, water, or ice. This includes weathered rock particles, but also things like sand, silt, clay, and even organic matter.

Sediments are essential to the formation of sedimentary rocks. Over time, they accumulate, get compacted, and cemented together to form new rocks.