How is weathering defined in relation to erosion and deposition?

Weathering is defined as the process that breaks down rocks and minerals at the Earth's surface through various physical, chemical, and biological processes, but it does not involve the movement of materials. This distinguishes it from erosion, which specifically refers to the process of transporting weathered materials from one location to another, and deposition, which is the process of dropping sediments in a new area.

The understanding that weathering does not contribute to the transportation of sediment helps clarify its role in the larger context of the rock cycle. It is crucial to grasp that while weathering prepares materials for erosion, the two processes are fundamentally different. Weathering alters the materials in place, making them more prone to erosion but does not involve the movement itself. The assertion that weathering occurs in isolated environments such as dry climates is inaccurate, as it can happen in various conditions depending on the type of weathering processes at play.