Distinguish between weathering and erosion.

Weathering is a natural process that breaks down rock and other solid materials at or near the Earth's surface. This process is caused by various factors such as temperature changes, water, plant roots, and chemical reactions. Weathering can be classified into three main types: physical (mechanical) weathering, chemical weathering, and biological weathering.

Erosion, on the other hand, is the process in which weathered rock, soil, and other particles are transported away from their original location by natural agents like wind, water, ice, and gravity. The eroded material is often deposited in a new location, where it can form new landforms or contribute to sedimentary rock formation.

To illustrate the differences between weathering and erosion, let's consider a few examples: Example 1 (Weathering): A rock cracks and breaks down into smaller pieces due to freeze-thaw cycles (physical weathering). Example 2 (Weathering): Acid rain causes chemical reactions that gradually wear away the surface of a marble statue (chemical weathering). Example 3 (Weathering): Plant roots growing in cracks of a rock can exert pressure on the rock, causing it to break apart (biological weathering). Example 4 (Erosion): Sand particles on a beach are picked up and carried away by ocean waves (water erosion). Example 5 (Erosion): Wind picks up and transports small soil particles and dust from one place to another (wind erosion).

Now that we have defined weathering and erosion and provided examples, let's summarize the key differences between these two processes: 1. Weathering involves the breaking down of rock and other materials, while erosion is the process of transporting these weathered materials away from their original location. 2. Weathering can be categorized into physical, chemical, and biological; erosion is mainly categorized based on the transporting agent (water, wind, ice, and gravity). 3. Weathering occurs on-site or at the rock's original location, while erosion involves movement and deposition of the weathered materials in a new location. By understanding these differences and keeping in mind the examples provided, you can now distinguish between weathering and erosion.