Properties of Soil

A soil scientist was examining a sample of soil and trying to determine the kind of rock that weathered to make it. Which rock is most likely the kind of rock that produced that sediments that made the soil sample?

• Rock 1

• Rock 2

• Rock 3

• Rock 4

Enlarged images of the particles that make up four soils are shown. Which soil particles have the roughest texture?

• Soil A

• Soil B

• Soil C

• Soil D

Corn crop yields were recorded for four different soils that had different textures, as measured by the average size of soil particles. The soil that had the best production of corn crops had an average soil particle size of -

• less than 500 micrometers

• around 650 micrometers

• between 800 and 1000 micrometers

• more than 1500 micrometers

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

How should a student conduct an investigation to find the best soil to grow a carrot? The student should place carrot seeds in several containers, all with -

• the same type of soil, and the same amount of light and water

• different kinds of soil, and the same amount of light and water

• different kinds of soil, and different amounts of light and water

• the same type of soil, and different amounts of light and water

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

A mixture of sand, silt, clay, rock, and humus (plant and animal remains)

• humus

• soil

• loam

Which of the following is NOT a property of soil?

• Color

• Texture

• Where it's located

• Ability to retain water

A component of soil made of very tiny grains; sticky and soft when wet but turns hard when dry

• clay

• loam

• humus

A component of soil made of small pieces of rock; pebbles; usually has a smooth texture

• gravel

• sand

• loam

A component of soil made by the weathering of rocks into tiny grains; has a rough and gritty texture

• gravel

• sand

• rock

Geologist can tell a lot about soil from its color. Nutrient rich soil is generally –

• darker in color

• gray in color

• red in color

• colorless

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4