Which of the following natural forces can weather and erode rock?

• A. Only wind
• B. Only water
• C. Ice, water, and wind
• D. Clouds and heat only

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of weathering and erosion. Weathering refers to the breaking down of rocks into smaller pieces by natural forces, while erosion involves the movement of these broken-down materials from one place to another.
2. Step 2: Identify the natural forces that contribute to weathering and erosion. These forces include wind, water, ice, and temperature changes. Each of these forces can break down rocks and transport the particles.
3. Step 3: Analyze how wind contributes to weathering and erosion. Wind can carry small particles like sand, which can strike rocks and wear them down over time (a process called abrasion). Wind also transports eroded materials to new locations.
4. Step 4: Examine the role of water in weathering and erosion. Water can cause chemical weathering by dissolving minerals in rocks. It also contributes to physical weathering through processes like freeze-thaw cycles and the movement of rivers, which erode rock surfaces.
5. Step 5: Consider the impact of ice on weathering and erosion. Ice can cause physical weathering through freeze-thaw cycles, where water freezes in rock cracks, expands, and breaks the rock apart. Glaciers also erode rocks as they move, carrying debris and grinding down surfaces.