Question

How does weathering affect sedimentary rocks?

Answer 1

Hint: Accumulation or deposition of minerals or even organic matter at the earth’s surface and then its cementation is how sedimentary rocks are formed. Igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks are the three kinds of rocks.

Complete answer: Weathering is responsible for the formation of sedimentary rocks. Breaking of pre-existing rocks into smaller fragments or new minerals happens because of weathering. These sediments are then transported into a sedimentary basin and in this sedimentary basin the deposition of these sediments takes place. Finally sedimentary rocks are formed out of these sediments because of burial and lithification.
It must also be kept in mind that sedimentary rocks themselves can be weathered down. Igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks which are present in the surface are susceptible to weathering.
Simply we can say that sedimentary rocks are the product of weathering which happened on pre existing rocks and these sediments are then transported after this the deposition of these sediments takes place followed by compaction and finally the cementation of the sediments happen which forms sedimentary rocks.
There are basically three kinds of weathering. Physical, chemical and biological are the three kinds. Physical weathering happens because of factors like water, wind, etc. Composition of rocks changes and transformation occurs when water interacts with minerals and this leads to various chemical reactions and this happens in the process of chemical weathering. There is another type of weathering known as biological weathering. In this type of weathering disintegration takes place because of living organisms. Roots and burrowing animals leads to the disruption of rocks.

Note: When materials of the earth are worn away and transported because of natural forces such as wind or water it is called erosion and this is a geological process. Difference between erosion and weathering is that erosion involves movement whereas weathering is in situ.