Which statement best describes sedimentary rocks?

Which statement best describes sedimentary rocks?

• A. They are formed by heating rocks
• B. They often contain fossils
• C. They are formed by chemical precipitation
• D. They form from accumulation and cementation of sediments

Answer: (D)

Sedimentary rocks form from the accumulation and cementation of sediments. Pieces of broken rock, mineral grains, and organic matter settle out of water or air and pile up in layers. Over time, these layers get buried and compacted, and minerals carried by groundwater act like glue to cement the grains together, turning loose sediment into solid rock. This process explains why sedimentary rocks often show layered textures and can preserve fossils in the layers. While heating creates metamorphic rocks, and chemical precipitation describes a method for some chemical sedimentary rocks, the general description for most sedimentary rocks is that they come from accumulation and cementation of sediments.

Sedimentary rocks form from the accumulation and cementation of sediments. Pieces of broken rock, mineral grains, and organic matter settle out of water or air and pile up in layers. Over time, these layers get buried and compacted, and minerals carried by groundwater act like glue to cement the grains together, turning loose sediment into solid rock. This process explains why sedimentary rocks often show layered textures and can preserve fossils in the layers. While heating creates metamorphic rocks, and chemical precipitation describes a method for some chemical sedimentary rocks, the general description for most sedimentary rocks is that they come from accumulation and cementation of sediments.