Weathering and Soil Formation

The A soil horizon contains 

• humus
• leached materials and little to no humus
• partially weathered parent rock

The process by which minerals in soil are removed or washed away is called

• carbonation.
• leaching.
• fertilizing.
• hydrolysis.

Exposure to rain and oxygen causes the metal minerals in rocks to rust and fall apart.  This is an example of

• mechanical weathering.
• oxidation.
• erosion.
• a sinkhole.

This farming technique helps prevent erosion from heavy rains on steep hills.

• contour plowing
• no-till farming
• cover crop
• terracing

Granite has only recently been exposed at a location on Earth's surface.  How will this most likely affect the soil that will eventually form at this location?

• The soil will have a thick layer of humus in the A horizon.
• The soil will contain many of the same minerals as the granite has.
• The soil will consist of thin horizons compared to other types of soils.
• the soil will be made of mostly rock material instead of organic matter.

What is the first step of soil formation?

• humus decomposing
• nitrates being absorbed by the plant roots
• weathering of parent rock
• climate changing

Which of the following is the most important soil formation factor

• Time
• Climate
• Slope
• Organisms

Which of the following is NOT one of the three types of soil?

• clay
• sand
• silt
• mud

Plants and animals are bad for soil.

• true
• false

The process that breaks down rocks and other materials on Earth's surface is called

• weathering
• erosion
• soil conservation
• decomposition