The process of rocks breaking down chemically and physically by water, air, and organisms is called what?

• A. Erosion
• B. Deposition
• C. Weathering
• D. Frost Wedging

Answer: (C)

Weathering is the breakdown of rocks in place through physical forces and chemical reactions. When water, air, and living organisms interact with rocks, they can split them into smaller pieces (physical weathering) and also alter minerals to new substances (chemical weathering). Water can dissolve minerals or react with them, while oxygen can oxidize minerals, and plant roots or organisms can pry rocks apart. Frost wedging is a specific physical weathering process where Freeze-thaw cycles crack rocks. Erosion involves moving weathered material away, and deposition is the laying down of that material, so they are not the process of breaking down rocks.