Final answer:
Sedimentary rocks form from weathering, erosion, transportation, deposition, and lithification of rock fragments or organic material. They are categorized as clastic, chemical, and organic, with examples including sandstone and limestone. These rocks record Earth's history and are crucial resources.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sedimentary rocks are a type of rocks that form through a multi-step process including weathering, erosion, transportation, deposition, and lithification. These processes break down pre-existing rocks into small particles that are then transported by elements such as water, wind, or ice. The particles are deposited in new locations where they accumulate in layers and over time become compacted and cemented together to form a solid rock.
Clastic sedimentary rocks, for instance, are made up of broken fragments, or clasts, of other rocks, and are classified by the size of these particles, ranging from boulders to clay. Chemical sedimentary rocks form when mineral-rich water evaporates, leaving behind mineral deposits. Lastly, organic sedimentary rocks are composed of lithified organic matter from plants or animals.
Examples of sedimentary rocks include conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone, shale, claystone, and limestone, which are commonly found on Earth. These rocks are essential to our understanding of Earth's history and are a critical resource for natural materials such as groundwater and fossil fuels.