Which process involves the physical and chemical breakdown of rocks and minerals at the Earth's surface?

The process that encompasses the physical and chemical breakdown of rocks and minerals at the Earth's surface is weathering. Weathering occurs through various mechanisms, including physical processes such as freeze-thaw cycles, where water enters cracks in rocks, freezes, expands, and causes the rock to break apart. Chemical weathering, on the other hand, involves the alteration of the chemical composition of rocks, often through reactions with water, acids, or gases in the atmosphere, leading to the formation of new minerals and the solubilization of certain components.

Weathering is a crucial natural process, as it contributes to soil formation and influences the landscape. It serves as the first step in the rock cycle and plays a significant role in the overall geological and ecological systems on Earth. While erosion, deposition, and transportation are related processes that involve the movement and distribution of earth materials, they do not directly pertain to the breakdown of rocks at the surface, which is the defining feature of weathering. Erosion involves the removal and transport of surface material, deposition refers to the laying down of materials, and transportation involves the movement of sediments.