Final answer:
Erosion is the correct answer. It describes the process of transporting rock particles by natural forces like water, wind, or ice, which plays a significant role in shaping the Earth's topography and forming sedimentary rocks.
Step-by-step explanation:
Erosion is the process that involves the picking up and physical removal of rock particles by a natural agent, which can be wind, flowing liquid water, or glaciers. This process not only removes particles but also shapes the landscape by carving valleys, creating cliffs, and forming caves. Weathering, on the other hand, refers to the breakdown or disintegration of rock in place, which is an important precursor to erosion as it produces the particles that erosion then transports.
Sedimentary rocks are formed from materials carried by erosion. For instance, erosion causes materials like gravel, sand, and clay to settle out of water or air. Over time, with additional processes such as deposition and lithification, these materials can form sedimentary rocks like sandstone, siltstone, and mudstone, which indicate past environments of erosion and deposition.