Ch 05.2: Soil Formation

Multiple Select

Which of the following are components of soil?

• organic matter

• mineral matter

• water

• air

Multiple Select

Which of the following particle sizes influence soil teture?

• sand

• silt

• clay

Multiple Choice

As you go deeper into the soil, there is a gradual increase in clay.

• true

• false

Match

Match the following:

• source of the mineral matter in soil

• soil that forms on bedrock

• soil that forms on unconsolidated deposits

parent material

residual soil

transported soil

• parent material

• residual soil

• transported soil

Multiple Select

How does climate affect soil formation?

• Temperature and moisture influence the speed of chemical reactions.

• Soils develop faster in warm, moist areas and slower in cold or arid areas.

• Helps control how fast rocks weather and dead organisms decompose.

Match

Match the following:

• the main source of organic matter in soil

• play an active role in decomposing organisms

• mix the mineral and organic matter in soil

plants

microorganisms

burrowing animals

• plants

• microorganisms

• burrowing animals

Match

Match the following:

• take up nitrogen gas and produce ammonia, a form of nitrogen that plants can absorb

• produce compounds called nitrates and nitrites, nitrite is the most common source of nitrogen for plants

• break down nitrates and release nitrogen gas into the atmosphere

nitrogen-fixing bacteria

nitrifying bacteria

denitrifying bacteria

• nitrogen-fixing bacteria

• nitrifying bacteria

• denitrifying bacteria

Multiple Select

How does the slope of land affect soil thickness?

• Steep slopes have more erosion, so their soil is usually thin or nonexistent.

• Flat areas have little erosion, so their soils are typically thick.

• Steep slopes have little erosion, so their soilis ususlly thick or nonexistent.

• Flat areas have more erosion, so their soil is usually thin.

Multiple Select

Which of the following are important factors in soil formation?

• climate

• time

• parent material

• organisms

• slope