4.7A Properties of Soil

The layer of Earth’s surface consisting of small pieces of rock, decayed plants and animals.

• soil

• properties of soil

• loam

• texture

Vary in size; the amount of space between particles influences how much water moves through a soil and how much water the soil retains.

• properties of soil

• soil particles

• humus

• retain

Parts of soil including minerals, organic matter, air, and water.

• clay

• soil

• components of soil

• retain

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

To hold inside, or keep, as soil does with water.

• retain

• texture

• particles

• soil

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Made by the breaking down of rocks into tiny grains; has a rough and gritty texture, large particles and retains the least amount of water.

• humus

• clay

• sand

• topsoil

Made up of medium-size particles, often found at the bottom of rivers, and retains moderate amounts of water.

• soil

• subsoil

• sand

• silt

Soil that is sticky and, soft, and has very small particles that allow it to retain the most amount of water.

• clay

• topsoil

• humus

• loam

A rich, dark layer of soil made of decaying pants and animals.

• loam

• topsoil

• gravel

• humus

The top layer of soil that contains a lot of humus; most plants grow in this layer of soil.

• soil

• loam

• topsoil

• gravel

A part of soil made of small pieces of rock; usually a smooth texture.  

• gravel

• loam

• topsoil

• humus