Final answer:
The missing word in the student's question about the geological process that involves transporting rock particles is 'Erosion'. Erosion is the movement of materials caused by water, wind, ice, or living organisms, differentiating it from weathering, which is the in-place breakdown of rocks.
Step-by-step explanation:
The missing word in the student's question is Erosion. Erosion is the natural process by which material is worn away from the Earth's surface and transported elsewhere by the action of water, wind, ice, or living organisms. It is distinct from weathering, which is the breakdown of rock in place. Erosion includes the transporting of fragments, significantly shaping the Earth's surface by carving out valleys, forming deltas, and creating other geological features.
Sedimentary rocks are often formed through the process of deposition, where the eroded particles settle in a new location, creating layers over time. Weathering and erosion can lead to the increase of dissolved minerals in water, which are crucial for aquatic life. Physical and chemical weathering breaks down pre-existing rock, and the resulting particles are transported, eventually forming clastic sedimentary rocks such as sandstone and shale.
Erosion is the process by which rocks and other earth materials are weathered away and transported by agents such as running water and wind. It involves the breaking down and carrying away of rock particles, leading to the shaping of the Earth's surface. Examples of erosion include the formation of river valleys and cliffs on rocky beach coastlines.