Mineral matter is inorganic material, meaning it didn't originate as a plant or animal. Mineral matter began as a ____________ .

Soil has mineral particles of different sizes, these particles are labeled as

Which particle is the largest soil particle, and creates large pore space that improves aeration?

Which is the smallest soil particle, that creates very small pore sizes resulting in poor aeration and drainage?

This is the mid-size soil particle that has good water holding ability, and has the ability to retain nutrients for plants.

This soil particle feels gritty to the touch

This soil particle feels like flour when dry and smooth like velvet when moist.

This soil particle forms hard clumps when it's dry and is sticky when it's wet

The proportions of the three soil types determines the soil ____________ .

the accumulation of decayed or partially decayd plants and animals. Most of this is from plant leaves, roots, and stems.

The process of water soaking into the soil is known as _____________.

The downward movement of water through the soil is known as ________________ .

After a rain, much of the water drains down through the soil through the pore spaces, this is called ____________.

As gravitational water moves through the soil, it carries with it dissolved minerals, chemicals, and salts, this process is known as ___________.

Air is found in soil pore spaces, about what percent of soil will be air?

Plants perform best when there is a balance between air and water in the soil

It is estimated that one teaspoon of soil contains more bacteria than there are people on the Earth.

These bacteria's help break down _____________ and release nutrients into the soil.

Tilth is the ease at which soil can be worked, which of the following does not help improve soil tilth?

the process in which the climate literally causes rocks to break into small pieces

Which of the following is not a way that soil particles are transported as they break off from the parent rocks?

The process in which organic matter is broke down is known as _________________ .

A soil profile is a view of a cross section of soil, this view reveals the layers of soil known as _____________ .

This horizon is not considered one of the four main horizons, it consists of leaves, roots, limbs, and decaying matter.

This layer of soil contains parent material, there is no organic matter or root development in this horizon

This Horizon is made of bedrock or solid rock, and is located below the C Horizon

This horizon is known as "subsoil", some nutrients can leach into this horizon as well. Some plant roots can grow into the subsoil.

An area with similar soil types

The ideal soil is a ___________ soil.

Soils in the Midwest are ideal for raising which of these crops?

At the time of European colonization, Midwest soils were very ____________ .