Soil and Weathering

Weathering is a process that breaks down rocks to create soil. This process takes -

• many years

• a few days

• several months

• six weeks

Which of the following can cause weathering?

• Animals

• Plants

• Wind

• All of the Above

The pictures shows a canyon. What most likely caused the canyon to form?

• Chemicals wore away a path down through the rocks.

• The moving water of the river wore down the rock over thousands of years.

• Wind wore down a path through the mountains.

• Tree roots grew down and broke away the rocks.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Which of the following changes to the land BREAKS large rocks to make changes?

• weathering

• erosion

• deposition

• none of the above

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

A student exploring the formation of soil put rocks in a plastic jar of water and shook it. Afterwards, there were small pieces of broken rock in the water. What process in the formation of soil does this model?

• Weathering of earth materials

• Decay of plant matter

• Formation of various minerals

• Mixing of water and air

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Which of the following processes will most likely contribute to the development of soil?

• Volcanic eruptions that make new land

• Building up of snow in very cold areas

• Migration of animals to warmer climates

• Breaking down of rock by wind, water, and ice

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Rocks breaking down to form soil is which process?

• weathering

• decaying plants

• clay

• humus

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

What is weathering?

• The process of breaking down rocks by weather, water, and living things to create soil.

• The process of rocks, soil, and minerals being compressed and hardened over time.

• The process of rocks, soil, and minerals being transported by wind and water.

• The process of rocks, soil, and minerals forming through exposure to the atmosphere, water, and biological organisms.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Benjamin the gardener is on a mission to create the healthiest garden in town! As he sprinkles bags of magical topsoil, he ponders the mysterious journey of how soil is formed. Can you help him figure out what happens first in this natural process?

• Topsoil is formed.

• Dead leaves fall onto the ground.

• Bedrock is weathered into small pieces.

• Leaves and dead roots decay and are broken down.

• Organisms such as earthworms mix decaying matter with sediment.

A gardener is adding topsoil to his garden to help keep his flowers healthy. As he pours the bags of soil, he wonders about the processes which caused the soil to be made. What happens first?

• Topsoil is formed.

• Dead leaves fall onto the ground.

• Bedrock is weathered into small pieces.

• Leaves and dead roots decay and are broken down.

• Organisms such as earthworms mix decaying matter with sediment.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3