Final answer:
The processes of weathering and erosion are best described as Gradual (Option B) because they occur over extended periods and significantly shape the Earth's surface.
Step-by-step explanation:
The processes of weathering and erosion are best described by the term Gradual (Option B). Weathering is the breakdown of rocks, soil, and minerals through contact with the Earth's atmosphere, water, and biological organisms. Erosion is the process that removes the products of weathering from one location to another, often by wind, water, or ice. It is through these processes that landscapes and geologic features evolve over time. Erosion, along with weathering, contributes to the shaping of the Earth's surface, leading to the formation of various landforms such as river valleys, cliffs, and caves. Graduality is inherent in these processes as they occur over long periods.
When considering something instantaneous, it suggests it happens in a moment or very quickly, which does not align with the slow nature of weathering and erosion. Rapid events happen quickly but are not instant, and while some erosion can be comparatively rapid during events like landslides, as a whole, erosion and weathering are slow processes. Insignificant suggests that something is unimportant or has little to no impact, which is not the case with weathering and erosion as they are significant geological processes that constantly change the planet's surface.