What is the term for rock fragments transported by wind, water, or ice?

The term for rock fragments transported by wind, water, or ice is sediment. Sediment refers to small particles of rock and minerals that are carried by natural forces such as rivers, glaciers, and wind. These fragments can originate from the physical weathering of larger rocks and are essential in various geological processes, including erosion, transportation, and deposition. Over time, these sediments can compact and cement together to form sedimentary rocks.

In contrast, bedrock refers to the solid rock layer that lies beneath soil and sediment, and it is not fragmented or transported in the way sediments are. Soil is a complex mixture of minerals, organic matter, water, and air, and while it may contain sediment, it is not synonymous with rock fragments alone. Igneous rock is formed from the cooling and solidification of magma or lava, and does not involve transportation by natural agents as sediment does. Thus, sediment is the only term that directly refers to the fragments being moved by environmental forces.