Final Answer:
The following is not an example of the earth's surface being changed by physical or chemical weathering is C) A large meteor crashing in a desert. (Option C)
Step-by-step explanation:
Physical and chemical weathering are natural processes that alter the Earth's surface over time. Options A, B, and D describe examples of such weathering. In option A, wind erosion represents physical weathering as the wind transports rock particles. Option B illustrates glacial activity, involving the movement and deposition of sand, which is both a physical and chemical weathering process. Option D describes water wearing down rocks along a river bed, showcasing the effects of physical and chemical weathering caused by flowing water.
Option C, a large meteor crashing in a desert, is not an example of weathering. Meteor impacts are geological events that can cause sudden and dramatic changes to the Earth's surface, but they are not classified as weathering processes. Instead, meteor impacts are considered geological events with significant immediate consequences, such as the formation of impact craters and the release of energy. Unlike weathering, which occurs over extended periods, meteor impacts create rapid and intense modifications to the landscape.
In summary, physical and chemical weathering involve gradual processes that shape the Earth's surface over time. Options A, B, and D represent examples of weathering, while option C involves a sudden geological event that is not part of the weathering processes. Understanding the distinctions between these processes contributes to a comprehensive grasp of the Earth's dynamic geological mechanisms. (Option C)