Final answer:
An irregularly shaped sediment would have the slowest rate of deposition due to the increased resistance as it moves through water, which slows down its fall and leads to a slower deposition rate compared to smoother and more rounded sediments.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sediment with the slowest rate of deposition would likely be an irregularly shaped sediment. Sediment characteristics such as size, shape, and density can influence the rate at which they are deposited. A very large sediment may settle quickly due to its weight, and while a high-density sediment may also settle rapidly, spherical or well-rounded grains tend to reduce drag as they fall through a fluid, promoting a quicker descent.
In contrast, grains that are irregularly shaped create more resistance as they move through water, slowing down their fall and leading to a slower deposition rate compared to smoother and more rounded grains.
Understanding terminal velocity is crucial for estimating sedimentation rates, as it is the maximum speed an object falling through a fluid can reach when the force of gravity and the resistance of the medium are equal. Factors like grain size, shape, and density all impact a sediment's terminal velocity.
Sediments that form turbidite deposits on the sea-bottom illustrate this concept, as they are carried and sorted by density during the process of turbulent flow down slopes.