Weathering is the process that:

Weathering is the process that:

• A. It Builds Rock Into Mountains
• B. It Carries Sediment Away
• C. Changes Rock Into Metal
• D. Destructive Force That Breaks Down Rock Into Sediment

Answer: (D)

Weathering is the process that breaks down rocks into smaller pieces at Earth’s surface, forming sediment. This in-place weakening and breaking happens through physical forces like freezing and thawing, abrasion by wind or water, and chemical changes such as oxidation. That’s why the statement describing weathering as breaking rock into sediment is the best fit. It doesn’t build mountains or carry sediment away—that would be erosion. And turning rock into metal isn’t how weathering works, since weathering alters minerals or rocks to form new materials like sediments or oxides, not solid metals.

Weathering is the process that breaks down rocks into smaller pieces at Earth’s surface, forming sediment. This in-place weakening and breaking happens through physical forces like freezing and thawing, abrasion by wind or water, and chemical changes such as oxidation. That’s why the statement describing weathering as breaking rock into sediment is the best fit.

It doesn’t build mountains or carry sediment away—that would be erosion. And turning rock into metal isn’t how weathering works, since weathering alters minerals or rocks to form new materials like sediments or oxides, not solid metals.