What would be the most likely result if water flowing through a thick layer of compacted sand contained no dissolved minerals?

The sand would immediately turn into metamorphic rock.

The sand grains would melt and fuse together.

The sand would remain a loose, unconsolidated deposit.

The water pressure would be enough to form a very strong rock.

How does cementation complete the transformation of sediment into sedimentary rock?

By increasing the pressure on the particles

By solidifying the loose particles

By sorting the particles by size

By rounding the edges of the particles

To break down large rocks into smaller pieces through weathering.

To transport sediments from one location to another using water or wind.

To press layers of sediment together using the weight of overlying materials.

To bind loose sediment grains together into a solid mass using crystallized minerals.

Heat and pressure from deep within the Earth

Organic matter from decaying plants and animals

Dissolved minerals that crystallize in pore spaces

The water itself as it freezes and expands