Try It
- What is the term for the physical, chemical, and biological processes that breakdown parent material/rock?
Answer: Weathering - This is the process that breaks down rock/parent material that makes up the inorganic part of soil.
- What is the dark organic material in the soil that forms from the decomposition of plant and animal matter?
Answer: Humus - Humus is what gives the topsoil (horizon A) its dark color.
- _____ is a contributing factor to soil formation that deals with the contour of the land in a particular area.
Answer: Topography - Topography influences soil formation and distribution. Areas with a hilly contour will have soil formed differently and soil make will differ by elevation.
- ____ is a type of physical weathering were wind, water, or ice carry particles that cause friction on the exposed rock surface breaking it down.
Answer: Abrasion - An example of abrasion is wind with sand in it hitting a rock causing it to slowly be broken down.
- _____ ______ occurs when living organisms are responsible for breaking down rock through either chemical or physical processes.
Answer: Biological weathering - Plants roots putting pressure on rocks are an example of physical biological weathering. Lichens releasing chemical substances to break down the organic material in rocks would be an example of chemical biological weathering.
- ______ is a process by which microbes such as fungi and bacteria breakdown the organic matter of dead organisms or waste products of living organisms.
Answer: Decomposition - Decomposition is the process that adds organic material to the soil which is known as humus.
- What is the term for the average weather in a region that is a major factor in soil formation?
Answer: Climate - Climate is the average amount of precipitation, temperature, and humidity of a particular area that determines what type of plant life can and will exist in an area.
- _____ is the type of chemical weathering where minerals in rocks react with water to cause a change in the rock.
Answer: Hydrolysis - Oxidation and carbonation are other types of chemical weathering involved in soil formation.
- ____ ____ is a type of physical weathering in which water seeps into the cracks of rocks expanding when it freezes.
Answer: Frost action - When water freezes, its volume increases by about 10%. This expansion of water causes the rocks to break apart.
- What are microscopic organisms that are responsible for decomposition of organic matter called?
Answer: Microbes - Bacteria are an example of microbes that are an important part of soil formation.
- ______ is the accumulation of small particles of rocks, sand, soil, and other agents.
Answer: Deposition - This material that accumulates is called deposits. Materials can be deposited by the movement of water, wind, and ice.
- ______ ______ comes from broken down rock/bedrock material and can influence the texture and color of soil.
Answer: Parent material - Soil type will differ based on the type of parent material that its inorganic composition is made of.
 |