Final answer:
The process of weathering breaks down rocks without moving them, while erosion is responsible for transporting those fragments to new locations. Weathered sediments can be carried by forces like water and wind, eventually forming sedimentary rocks through deposition and cementation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement is, in fact, true. Weathering and erosion are distinct but intertwined processes that shape the Earth's surface. Firstly, weathering is the breakdown of rocks and minerals into smaller pieces or sediments. This occurs due to mechanical and chemical processes such as temperature fluctuations, water, roots, and acid rain. Weathering does not involve the movement of rock particles; it simply breaks them down where they are.
Subsequently, erosion takes over. This is the process of transporting the fragments that result from weathering. Water, wind, ice (glaciers), and gravity contribute to erosion by moving these sediments from their original location. Over time, erosion can lead to significant alterations in the landscape, such as the creation of valleys and deltas.
Sedimentary rocks then form as a result of these processes. Sediment from weathering is transported and deposited in new locations, where it can accumulate and eventually cement together into rock. For example, a river can transport sand and gravel from the mountains and deposit it in a floodplain, forming layers of sediment that later become solid rock.