The process of wearing away rock by small particles carried by water

The process of wearing away rock by small particles carried by water

• A. Erosion
• B. Weathering
• C. Abrasion
• D. Attrition

Answer: (C)

Abrasion is the mechanical wearing away of rock by friction from particles carried by a fluid such as water. In a river, moving sand, gravel, and other clasts grind against bedrock, acting like a continuous natural file that smooths and erodes the surface. This specific mechanism fits the idea of rock being worn away by the small particles in water. Weathering would be rock breakdown in place without transport, so it doesn’t fit. Erosion is the broad process of material removal, which includes abrasion but doesn’t name the particular grinding action. Attrition involves particles colliding with each other, producing smaller fragments, rather than rock surfaces being worn down by contact with the transported load.

Abrasion is the mechanical wearing away of rock by friction from particles carried by a fluid such as water. In a river, moving sand, gravel, and other clasts grind against bedrock, acting like a continuous natural file that smooths and erodes the surface. This specific mechanism fits the idea of rock being worn away by the small particles in water. Weathering would be rock breakdown in place without transport, so it doesn’t fit. Erosion is the broad process of material removal, which includes abrasion but doesn’t name the particular grinding action. Attrition involves particles colliding with each other, producing smaller fragments, rather than rock surfaces being worn down by contact with the transported load.