How do weathering and erosion affect Earth's surface?

Weathering and erosion play significant roles in shaping the Earth's surface by breaking down rocks and facilitating the formation of new soil. Weathering is the process through which rocks are broken down into smaller particles due to physical, chemical, or biological factors. This process can lead to the creation of soil as the fine particles mix with organic matter, which plants require to grow.

Erosion, on the other hand, involves the movement of these weathered materials from one location to another, typically by wind, water, or ice. As sediments are transported, they can accumulate in different areas, contributing further to soil formation and influencing landscape development. This ongoing cycle of weathering and erosion is essential for replenishing soil and maintaining ecosystems.

Other options discuss processes that do not align with the effects of weathering and erosion. For instance, forcing tectonic plates to move pertains more to geological forces than surface processes. Likewise, sedimentary rocks forming into igneous rocks relates to processes like melting and solidification rather than weathering and erosion. Additionally, mountain ranges typically experience height changes through tectonic uplift rather than erosion. Thus, the most accurate understanding of weathering and erosion's impact on the Earth's surface is that they break down rocks and create new soil.