Which of the following is a factor in the erosion and weathering of mountains?

The erosion and weathering of mountains is prominently influenced by natural elements like wind and water. These two forces play critical roles in shaping geological features over time. Wind contributes to erosion by transporting small particles and sediments, which gradually wear down rock surfaces. Water, through processes such as rain, rivers, and glaciers, acts as a powerful agent of both erosion and weathering. It can lead to physical weathering, where rocks break apart, and chemical weathering, where minerals are altered or dissolved.

While plate movements also affect mountain formation and can contribute to erosion indirectly by creating different geological formations, they do not actively cause the weathering process in the same direct way that wind and water do. Similarly, while solar radiation can affect temperature and, consequently, some weathering processes, it does not directly cause erosion like wind and water. Lava flows may alter landscapes significantly but are not a primary factor in the ongoing process of erosion and weathering of existing mountains. Thus, wind and water are the primary agents that continuously impact the mountains through their weathering and erosion processes.