Which term describes cycles of hot and cold temperatures which expand and contract rock in combination with constant wind and water which eventually leads to rocks cracking and breaking down to form sedimentary rock? a) deposition b) lithification c) physical weathering d) chemical weathering

The correct answer is option C, that is, physical weathering.  

The weathering resulting due to the influences of changing temperatures on a rock, making the rock to split apart is known as physical weathering. There are two main kinds of physical weathering, that is, exfoliation and freeze-thaw.  

Physical weathering takes place mainly in the locations, where few plants grow and little formation of soil occurs, like hot deserts and mountain regions. It takes place either via repeated freezing and melting of water or via contraction and expansion of the rocks surface layer, which is baked by the sun.