Which statement best describes deposition?

• A. The process by which sediments are laid down in new locations.
• B. The chemical processes that break down rocks on Earth's surface.
• C. The movement of rocks by tectonic forces.
• D. The transfer of energy in a system.

Answer: (A)

Deposition is the process of sediment being laid down in a new location after being transported by wind, water, or ice. It happens when the moving medium loses enough energy that the grains settle out and come to rest, forming layers. Over time these layers build up and may become compacted and cemented into sedimentary rocks. This concept explains features like river deltas, beaches, and lake bottoms where material settles out of suspension. The other statements describe different processes: chemical changes breaking down rocks, movement of rocks by forces inside the Earth, and transferring energy in a system, none of which capture the idea of sediments being dropped and deposited in a new place.