Question

question 3 of 20 :
select the best answer for the question.

1. which of the following best describes the process of hydration?

a. water bonds with elements in the minerals that make up a rock, forming new substances.
b. water breaks existing bonds among elements in the minerals that make up a rock.
c. water transports weathered sediment from one place and deposits it in another.
d. water moving through soil carries away important nutrients.
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Explanation:

To determine the best description of hydration, we analyze each option:

• Option A: Hydration in geology involves water molecules bonding with elements in rock - forming minerals, creating new hydrous substances. This matches the definition of hydration.
• Option B: Breaking existing bonds among elements in minerals is more related to processes like hydrolysis (which involves chemical reactions with water to break bonds) rather than hydration.
• Option C: Transporting and depositing weathered sediment is the process of erosion and deposition, not hydration.
• Option D: Water carrying away nutrients from soil is leaching, not hydration.

Answer:

A. Water bonds with elements in the minerals that make up a rock, forming new substances.