Which term describes the wearing down of rock material by fragments rubbing together during transport?

Which term describes the wearing down of rock material by fragments rubbing together during transport?

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

Answer: (B)

Attrition describes rocks and fragments wearing away because they collide with each other as they move. In transport, pebbles and stones constantly bump and rub, breaking into smaller pieces and becoming more rounded. This specifically captures the effect of fragments smashing together, not the surface scraping or in-situ breakdown. Abrasion is about particles scraping against a rock surface and wearing it down, which isn’t about collisions between the moving fragments themselves. Weathering is the breakdown of rock in place, without transport. Erosion is the removal and movement of material by wind, water, or ice. So the term that best fits the description is attrition.

Attrition describes rocks and fragments wearing away because they collide with each other as they move. In transport, pebbles and stones constantly bump and rub, breaking into smaller pieces and becoming more rounded. This specifically captures the effect of fragments smashing together, not the surface scraping or in-situ breakdown.

Abrasion is about particles scraping against a rock surface and wearing it down, which isn’t about collisions between the moving fragments themselves. Weathering is the breakdown of rock in place, without transport. Erosion is the removal and movement of material by wind, water, or ice. So the term that best fits the description is attrition.