Final answer:
Weathering refers to the breakdown of rocks at or near the surface, while erosion is the movement of those weathered materials. Mechanical and chemical weathering can cause rocks to break down, while erosion is primarily caused by water, wind, and ice.
Step-by-step explanation:
Weathering and Erosion
Weathering and erosion are both processes that shape the Earth's surface, but they are different in how they occur.
Weathering:
Weathering refers to the breakdown of rocks and minerals at or near the Earth's surface. There are two main types of weathering: mechanical weathering and chemical weathering.
- Mechanical weathering occurs when rocks are physically broken down into smaller pieces without any change in their chemical composition. This can happen through processes like frost wedging, where water freezes and expands in cracks, or abrasion, where rocks rub against each other.
- Chemical weathering involves a change in the chemical composition of rocks due to exposure to water, air, or other chemicals. Examples of chemical weathering include the reaction of carbon dioxide with water to form carbonic acid, which can dissolve rocks like limestone.
Erosion:
Erosion, on the other hand, refers to the movement of weathered materials, such as rocks, sediments, and soil, from one place to another. It is primarily caused by natural agents like water, wind, and ice.
For example, when a river flows, it can pick up and carry particles of sediment, gradually wearing away the riverbanks. Similarly, wind erodes rocks and soil by carrying away loose particles through the process of abrasion.
It is important to note that weathering often precedes erosion. Weathering breaks down rocks into smaller pieces, making them easier to be transported and eroded by natural agents.
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