What term refers to the process of breaking down rocks and materials on the Earth’s surface?

The process of breaking down rocks and materials on the Earth’s surface is known as weathering. This term describes the physical, chemical, and biological processes through which rocks are worn down into smaller pieces or altered in their composition. Weathering occurs due to various factors, including temperature changes, water, ice, and the actions of plants and animals.

Physical weathering can involve processes such as freeze-thaw cycles, where water enters cracks in rocks, freezes, and expands, leading to the fragmentation of the rock. Chemical weathering involves chemical reactions that alter the minerals within the rocks, often enhancing the breakdown process. Biological weathering can occur when plant roots grow into rock crevices and expand as they grow, contributing to the breakdown of the rock material.

In contrast, erosion refers to the movement of the broken-down materials from one place to another, commonly by wind, water, or ice. Deposition is the process by which these transported materials are laid down or deposited in new locations. Transpiration pertains to the movement of water from the soil into the atmosphere through plant processes and is unrelated to the breakdown of rock material. Thus, weathering is the correct term for the breakdown of rocks on Earth’s surface.