Final answer:
Weathering and erosion are different processes in the breakdown and movement of rocks.
Step-by-step explanation:
Erosion and weathering are both processes that contribute to the breakdown of rocks, but they occur at different stages and involve different mechanisms.
Weathering is the process by which rocks are broken down into smaller pieces through physical, chemical, or biological means. This can happen due to factors such as temperature changes, freeze-thaw cycles, and the action of plant roots. Weathering does not involve the movement of rock materials.
Erosion, on the other hand, refers to the transport and deposition of the weathered rock materials by agents such as water, wind, glaciers, or gravity. Erosion happens when the weathered pieces of rock are carried away by these agents.
For example, weathering can occur when water seeps into cracks in rocks and freezes, causing the rock to break apart. The broken pieces may then be transported by a river, which is an erosion process. So, weathering comes before erosion and is necessary for erosion to occur.
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