Earth's Surface: Weathering and Soil

Which soil would most likely be found in the Arctic? Andisols Gelisols Histosols Spodosols

Gelisols

Which describes the horizons in a soil profile? Horizon A is mineral deficient. Horizon O forms from organic material. Horizon B undergoes the least amount of change. Horizon C is most affected by the soil formation process.

Horizon O forms from organic material.

How do rock types contribute to the rate of weathering? Porous minerals weather faster. Harder minerals break apart more easily. Minerals that dissolve easily weather slower. Permeable rocks have less chemical reactions.

Porous minerals weather faster.

Which process is defined as breaking down rocks into smaller pieces without changing the rocks' compositions? erosion oxidation chemical weathering mechanical weathering

mechanical weathering

Which increases the rate of soil formation? mixed layers more precipitation cooler temperatures very hard parent material

more precipitation

Which is one factor of rock types that affects the rate of weathering? porosity moisture temperature mineral color

porosity

Which is one property of clay soils? is loose retains water drains quickly has coarse particles

retains water

Which rocks will likely weather the least? rocks that are soft rocks with a porous surface rocks that are in a dry climate rocks with minerals that dissolve easily

rocks that are in a dry climate

Which correctly lists the three parts of soil that are classified by their particle size? bedrock, humus, and clay clay, bedrock, and silt humus, sand, and clay sand, clay, and silt

sand, clay, and silt

Which correctly lists the three types of rock particles that make up soil? air, clay, and sand clay, water, and silt sand, clay, and silt silt, water, and air

sand, clay, and silt

Which property of soil depends on the size of particles? color odor temperature texture

texture

Which term describes erosion? creates small particles hardens rock fragments transports solid materials dissolves rock components

transports solid materials

Which describes the formation of Horizon B? forms at the surface features parent material undergoes the most change forms due to decomposed material

undergoes the most change

Which factor contributes to both chemical and mechanical weathering? abrasion freezing oxidation water

water

Which describes sand? fine-grained retains water water drains quickly good for growing crops

water drains quickly

Which describes a climate effect on the rate of weathering? Cold climates favor mechanical weathering. Chemical reactions occur slower at higher temperatures. Lower precipitation levels lead to more chemical reactions. The chemical reaction rates of minerals are not impacted by temperature.

Cold climates favor mechanical weathering.

Which describes how weathering and erosion are different? Weathering is caused by water. Erosion is caused by wind and ice. Erosion transports sediments. Weathering is a natural process.

Erosion transports sediments.

Soil classification is partially determined by the presence of organic material, such as humus. Which would have more humus—a desert or a forest—and why? Check all that apply. - a forest because it has more trees to provide plant litter - a desert because it has soil with a larger particle size - a forest because it has more animals to mix the soil - a forest because the trees prevent rain from reaching the soil - a desert because the dry air decomposes plant litter

a forest because it has more trees to provide plant litter a forest because it has more animals to mix the soil

What is one of the causes of mechanical weathering? acid rain oxidation animal actions carbon dioxide

animal actions

A geologist looks at a map to determine which of two areas would experience more chemical weathering. Area 1 is on the coast of a country in South America, near the equator. The temperatures are hot, and the climate is humid with heavy rainfall. Area 2 is in the Midwestern United States. The temperature is relatively cool, and the climate does not include much humidity or rainfall. Based on the given information, which area is most likely to have more chemical weathering?

area 1

Which term describes weathering? breaks down rock causes heating and cooling makes pebbles and rocks larger carries away fragments

breaks down rock

Which process is responsible for changing the composition of rock? erosion abrasion chemical weathering mechanical weathering

chemical weathering

Which is one factor that scientists use to classify orders of soil? fertility climate dryness bedrock

climate

Which climate favors mechanical weathering? dry climate cold climate warm climate desert climate

cold climate

Which describes bedrock? consists of solid rock lies directly above the soil layer does not contain weathered rock forms from decomposed material

consists of solid rock

A geologist is studying a new soil profile. In analyzing the profile, she finds that the topsoil is rich in organic material. She concludes that this soil would be great for growing crops. What materials combined to form the topsoil? weathered bedrock and wind-blown sand decomposed humus and wind-blown sand decomposed plant litter and weathered parent material deposited sediment and decomposed plant litter

decomposed plant litter and weathered parent material

Which processes relate to mechanical weathering? Check all that apply. freezing and thawing plant growth oxidation abrasion acid rain

freezing and thawing plant growth abrasion

Which condition leads to a slower rate of weathering? porous rocks cold climates hard minerals high temperatures

hard minerals

A farmer examines the soil of a new plot of land he just purchased. He notices that the soil is very dark, almost black in color. The soil is filled with organic material. Based on his experience, the farmer knows this soil has a high fertility. Which material gives the soil its high fertility? bedrock sand silt humus

humus

Organic material provides nitrogen for plants. Which soil component contributes the most nitrogen to plants? clay humus sand silt

humus