Soil Science Chapter 2 Quiz

The rate of chemical weathering is affected very little by the downward movement of water, oxygen, and organic and inorganic acids flowing through the soil profile.

False

Weathering of rocks usually is most intense in the center of a rock fragment, and gradually decreases toward the outside.

false

Residual parent materials have generally been subjected to weathering for a longer period of time than have colluvial or alluvial parent materials.

True

Silicate clay accumulation is most common in the ________. Select one: A. C horizon B. A horizon C. B horizon D. O Horizon E. E horizon

B horizon

The presence of rocks such as shale and sandstone indicate the existence of ________. Select one: A. ancient seas B. old mountain ranges C. a high water table D. highly weathered soils E. iron-rich minerals

A. ancient seas

Which of the following is not a secondary mineral? Select one: A. microcline B. silicate clay C. calcite D. hematite E. gypsum

A. microcline

Alluvial fans are usually characterized by ________ soils. Select one: A. sandy and gravelly B. nearly level C. clay textured D. poorly drained

A. sandy and gravelly

The reaction: mica + H2O→ K+ + OH- + acid clay is an example of ________. Select one: A. oxidation B. hydrolysis C. hydration D. acid solution weathering E. exfoliation

B. hydrolysis

Igneous rocks can best be characterized as ________. Select one: A. rocks found primarily near volcanoes B. rocks formed when molten magma solidifies C. rocks formed from the recrystallization of sedimentary material D. rocks containing a mixture of primary and secondary minerals E. rocks containing both feldspars and micas

B. rocks formed when molten magma solidifies

Which of the following statements is not correct? Select one: A. Grasslands are found in semi-arid and sub-humid areas. B. Coniferous forests are found mostly in cool humid areas. C. Dense forests are found soil profiles have prominent O horizons. D. Tropical forests protect the soil from excessive weathering. E. The type of native vegetation is controlled primarily by climate.

D. Tropical forests protect the soil from excessive weathering.

Which mineral is most resistant to weathering under humid temperate conditions? Select one: A. gypsum B. dolomite C. biotite D. gibbsite E. muscovite

D. gibbsite

Which of the following is not considered one of the five major factors influencing soil formation? Select one: A. topography B. native parent materials C. living organisms D. valence state E. climate

D. valence state

Organic matter accumulation is most pronounced in the ________. Select one: A. E horizon B. C horizon C. B horizon D. A horizon E. O horizon

E. O horizon

Glacial till is a term used to describe parent materials that ________. Select one: A. were laid down in the bottom of former glacial lakes B. were transported by water gushing from glacial fronts C. were transported by high winds during glacial periods D. are sorted by rapidly flowing melt waters E. contain a heterogeneous mixture of mineral debris dropped by receding glaciers

E. contain a heterogeneous mixture of mineral debris dropped by receding glaciers

Granite is an example of a(n) ________. Select one: A. sedimentary rock B. eolian parent material C. secondary mineral D. primary mineral E. igneous rock

E. igneous rock

The factors of soil formation act remarkably independent, with little interaction, thus creating similar soils.

False

Till and outwash are both examples of parent materials readily found in North Carolina

False

Which of the following statements is correct? Select one: A. Calcium carbonate accumulation is more prominent in humid than in arid regions. B. Limestone parent materials enhance the process of acidification. C. Soils on hillsides tend to be deeper than those on level lands. D. Nutrient cycling in forested areas contributes little to soil formation. E. Lacustrine parent materials have been subject to weathering for shorter periods of time than residual parent materials nearby.

Lacustrine parent materials have been subject to weathering for shorter periods of time than residual parent materials nearby.

Loess is an example of a transported parent material.

True

The parent materials for most floodplain soils are residual in nature.

false

Animals, microorganisms and plants contribute carbon dioxide to the soil atmosphere. Although the CO2 reacts with water to form carbonic acid, the resulting product has little effect on chemical weathering.

false

In a typical weathering sequence, rocks break down into secondary minerals which further undergo physical and chemical weathering to form primary minerals.

false

In general, alluvium in not good for agriculture.

false

Organic deposits are rarely found in areas of extreme wetness or extreme cold.

false

The depth of a soil profile is dependent on the climate. Cold dry conditions promote rapid weathering and consequently soils developed under these conditions are deeper than soil developed under wet and warm conditions.

false

The parent materials for most coastal plain soils are residual in nature.

false

Secondary minerals are recrystallized products of the chemical breakdown and/or alteration of primary minerals.

true

Chemical weathering is accelerated by water, oxygen, and organic and inorganic acids moving down through the regolith.

true

Climate influences not only the rate of weathering but the type of native vegetation dominant in an area.

true

Marine sediments are typical parent materials in coastal plain areas.

true