Exogenic geomorphic processes derive their ultimate energy from the sun's heat. Explain.
Exogenic geomorphic processes are those processes that derive their energy from the atmosphere, which is determined by the ultimate energy from the sun. The sun serves as the primary source of energy that drives various atmospheric processes on the earth's surface.
The sun's heat energy influences the atmosphere, which in turn drives exogenic processes. This energy causes movement of elements of nature such as water, ice, and wind. These elements become mobile due to gradients and act as geomorphic agents capable of acquiring, transporting, and depositing earth materials over slopes at lower levels.
Additionally, exogenic processes also depend on gradients created by tectonic factors. These gradients, formed due to endogenic forces like diastrophism and volcanism, create slopes that facilitate the movement of materials from higher to lower levels.
The main exogenic geomorphic processes include weathering, mass wasting, erosion, and deposition. These processes bring about changes in the configuration of the earth's surface by causing physical stresses and chemical actions on earth materials.
Thus, while endogenic processes derive energy from within the earth through radioactivity, rotational and tidal friction, and primordial heat, the exogenic processes ultimately depend on the sun's energy as their sole driving force.
Explanation
The textbook clearly states that exogenic processes derive their energy from atmosphere determined by the ultimate energy from the sun and also the gradients created by tectonic factors. The answer explains this relationship by connecting the sun's energy to atmospheric processes, which then drive geomorphic agents like water, ice, and wind. The answer also mentions the role of tectonic gradients and lists the four main exogenic processes (weathering, mass wasting, erosion, and deposition) as stated in the context.