Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition

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What is weathering?

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Weathering is the process that breaks down rocks into smaller pieces through physical, chemical, or biological means.

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What is erosion?

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Erosion is the process by which soil and sediment are transported from one place to another by natural forces such as water, wind, glaciers, and gravity.

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What is deposition?

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Deposition is the process where sediments, soil, and rocks are added to a landform or land mass, often occurring after erosion.

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What is chemical weathering?

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Chemical weathering involves the breakdown of rocks through chemical reactions, often involving water and gases, leading to changes in the minerals.

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What is mechanical weathering?

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Mechanical weathering is the physical breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces without changing their chemical composition.

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What is oxidation in the context of weathering?

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Oxidation is a chemical weathering process where oxygen reacts with minerals, often causing rusting in metals like iron.

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What are sediments?

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Sediments are small, broken down pieces of rock and minerals that are transported by erosion.

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What role does gravity play in erosion?

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Gravity helps move sediments downhill, contributing to erosion, especially in landslides and riverbanks.

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How does water contribute to weathering?

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Water can cause both chemical and mechanical weathering; it can dissolve minerals and freeze in cracks, expanding and breaking rocks apart.

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What is the difference between weathering and erosion?

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Weathering is the breakdown of rocks, while erosion is the movement of those broken pieces from one location to another.