Soil and Geology - AP Environmental Science
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Which element is not a component of soil?
Which element is not a component of soil?
All of these components make up soil. Differences in ratios of these components account for different soil types.
All of these components make up soil. Differences in ratios of these components account for different soil types.
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Soil is categorized by composition and depth. Each category is referred to as a __________.
Soil is categorized by composition and depth. Each category is referred to as a __________.
Soil categories are referred to as "horizons." Additionally, a vertical cross section of soil horizons is called a "profile."
Soil categories are referred to as "horizons." Additionally, a vertical cross section of soil horizons is called a "profile."
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__________ is soil with the smallest particles. (Less than 0.002mm diameter).
__________ is soil with the smallest particles. (Less than 0.002mm diameter).
Clay has the smallest particles, followed by silt, which contains larger particles than clay, but smaller particles than sand. Loam is a mixture of these three types of soil.
Clay has the smallest particles, followed by silt, which contains larger particles than clay, but smaller particles than sand. Loam is a mixture of these three types of soil.
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Conserving our natural resources is one of the challenging issues of the 21st century. What important natural resource is comprised of clay, silt, pebbles, and sand?
Conserving our natural resources is one of the challenging issues of the 21st century. What important natural resource is comprised of clay, silt, pebbles, and sand?
The correct response is soil. Soil is a mix of sand, clay, pebbles, and silt. It is the foundation of all our ecosystems.
The correct response is soil. Soil is a mix of sand, clay, pebbles, and silt. It is the foundation of all our ecosystems.
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Soil scientists help farmers discover how healthy their soils are. When a soil scientist measures the ability of soil particles to clump together, what soil property are they measuring?
Soil scientists help farmers discover how healthy their soils are. When a soil scientist measures the ability of soil particles to clump together, what soil property are they measuring?
The correct response is cohesion. This property measures how well a soil clumps together or breaks apart.
The correct response is cohesion. This property measures how well a soil clumps together or breaks apart.
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When a soil scientist measures how well water moves through the soil, what soil property is he/she measuring?
When a soil scientist measures how well water moves through the soil, what soil property is he/she measuring?
The correct response is permeability. This measure how quickly water can move through any substance - including soil.
The correct response is permeability. This measure how quickly water can move through any substance - including soil.
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Geological time scales are used to measure spans of time. In terms of geological time scales, which category represents the longest length of time?
Geological time scales are used to measure spans of time. In terms of geological time scales, which category represents the longest length of time?
The correct response is era because it represents longer periods of time on the geological time scale. The answer choicest from longest to shortest are as follows: Era > Period > Epoch > Age.
The correct response is era because it represents longer periods of time on the geological time scale. The answer choicest from longest to shortest are as follows: Era > Period > Epoch > Age.
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Which of the following aquatic environments will most likely form shale—a fine-grained sedimentary rock?
Which of the following aquatic environments will most likely form shale—a fine-grained sedimentary rock?
Shale is a very fine-grained sedimentary rock and it is often composed of clay particles. This means that it has to be deposited into a calm environment with little water movement.
Shale is a very fine-grained sedimentary rock and it is often composed of clay particles. This means that it has to be deposited into a calm environment with little water movement.
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Which of the following choices best describes the process by which soil horizons accumulate material such as iron, clay, organic compounds, and aluminum?
Which of the following choices best describes the process by which soil horizons accumulate material such as iron, clay, organic compounds, and aluminum?
Leaching occurs when percolating water transports materials from the top soil layers. Usually, these materials are illuviated(deposited) to a lower level.
Leaching occurs when percolating water transports materials from the top soil layers. Usually, these materials are illuviated(deposited) to a lower level.
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Examine the given block diagram. Each letter represents a depositional event or a period of erosion. Place the letters in order from the oldest to youngest event.
Examine the given block diagram. Each letter represents a depositional event or a period of erosion. Place the letters in order from the oldest to youngest event.
The law of superposition states that the oldest rock layers are at the bottom. A real world example of this often takes place while cooking. When making a seven-layer dip, for instance, you place the oldest layer on the bottom of the dish and stack layers on top. The layer on top is the youngest. The earth is made of rock layers deposited in a similar way.
E represents a period of erosion, meaning there is "missing time" (rock layers have been eroded, so there are no rocks representing that time).
The law of superposition states that the oldest rock layers are at the bottom. A real world example of this often takes place while cooking. When making a seven-layer dip, for instance, you place the oldest layer on the bottom of the dish and stack layers on top. The layer on top is the youngest. The earth is made of rock layers deposited in a similar way.
E represents a period of erosion, meaning there is "missing time" (rock layers have been eroded, so there are no rocks representing that time).
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Geological time scales are used to measure spans of time. In terms of geological time scales, which category represents the smallestlength of time?
Geological time scales are used to measure spans of time. In terms of geological time scales, which category represents the smallestlength of time?
The correct response is period. This would be the smallest measurement of time given the answer choices.
The order from longest to shortest is shown here: Supereon > Eon > Era > Period
The correct response is period. This would be the smallest measurement of time given the answer choices.
The order from longest to shortest is shown here: Supereon > Eon > Era > Period
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Which of the following rock types is a result of the rapid cooling of magma?
Which of the following rock types is a result of the rapid cooling of magma?
The three main rock types are sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic. Sedimentary rock is the result of the build up of sediment, such as sand or dirt. Igneous rocks are the result of the cooling of lava and molten rock, and can be crystalline in structure. Metamorphic rock is the compression of igneous and/or sedimentary rock, creating a new type of rock from intense pressure. Metamorphic rock comprises the majority of the Earth's crust.
The three main rock types are sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic. Sedimentary rock is the result of the build up of sediment, such as sand or dirt. Igneous rocks are the result of the cooling of lava and molten rock, and can be crystalline in structure. Metamorphic rock is the compression of igneous and/or sedimentary rock, creating a new type of rock from intense pressure. Metamorphic rock comprises the majority of the Earth's crust.
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Which of the following pairs of terms best identifies the two types of igneous rock?
Which of the following pairs of terms best identifies the two types of igneous rock?
Igneous rocks are divided into two types: intrusive and extrusive. Intrusive means that the rock cooled inside the earth and these rocks are usually large-grained. Extrusive means that the rock cooled outside the earth and is usually fine-grained (volcanic rock).
Igneous rocks are divided into two types: intrusive and extrusive. Intrusive means that the rock cooled inside the earth and these rocks are usually large-grained. Extrusive means that the rock cooled outside the earth and is usually fine-grained (volcanic rock).
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A scientist is examining two pebbles of a similar composition lying next to each other in a stream. One has a smooth, polished texture, while the other is angular with sharp edges. The differences in surface texture can indicate which of the following regarding the distance each pebble has traveled?
A scientist is examining two pebbles of a similar composition lying next to each other in a stream. One has a smooth, polished texture, while the other is angular with sharp edges. The differences in surface texture can indicate which of the following regarding the distance each pebble has traveled?
As rocks travel further from the original outcrop, bumps and abrasions round corners and polish the rock.
As rocks travel further from the original outcrop, bumps and abrasions round corners and polish the rock.
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Which of the following factors can cause a sedimentary rock to change into a metamorphic rock?
Which of the following factors can cause a sedimentary rock to change into a metamorphic rock?
Increasing temperature and pressure—through burial or submersion—causes the minerals that compose the rock to become unstable. This results in recrystallization of the minerals, which forms a new rock.
Increasing temperature and pressure—through burial or submersion—causes the minerals that compose the rock to become unstable. This results in recrystallization of the minerals, which forms a new rock.
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A sedimentary rock is buried deep within the earth. At a certain depth, the rock melts completely and recrystallizes. Which of the following best identifies what type of rock is formed post recrystallization?
A sedimentary rock is buried deep within the earth. At a certain depth, the rock melts completely and recrystallizes. Which of the following best identifies what type of rock is formed post recrystallization?
The question indicated that the rock melted completely. When a partially melted rock recrystallizes, it becomes a metamorphic rock; however, when a rock completely melts and any crystallization occurs, it results in the production of an igneous rock.
The question indicated that the rock melted completely. When a partially melted rock recrystallizes, it becomes a metamorphic rock; however, when a rock completely melts and any crystallization occurs, it results in the production of an igneous rock.
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Which of the following best explains the difference between weathering and erosion?
Which of the following best explains the difference between weathering and erosion?
Weathering is a process that creates sediment. There are physical and chemical weathering processes. On the other hand, erosion is described as a process that transports sediment. Erosion transports sediment through exogenous processes, such as by water or wind.
Weathering is a process that creates sediment. There are physical and chemical weathering processes. On the other hand, erosion is described as a process that transports sediment. Erosion transports sediment through exogenous processes, such as by water or wind.
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In the desert, a rock can experience seasonal cycles of freezing and cooling. The heat of the day causes ice to melt and the cold temperatures at night causes water to freeze and expand inside cracks present in the rock. This example is indicative of which of the following types of weathering?
In the desert, a rock can experience seasonal cycles of freezing and cooling. The heat of the day causes ice to melt and the cold temperatures at night causes water to freeze and expand inside cracks present in the rock. This example is indicative of which of the following types of weathering?
The freeze-thaw cycle acts like a chisel that produces fractures throughout the rock. Water rests in cracks on the rock’s surface and when it freezes it expands and causes more fractures. Water can then lay in these new fractures and further weather or crack the rock. This example represents a physical weathering process.
The freeze-thaw cycle acts like a chisel that produces fractures throughout the rock. Water rests in cracks on the rock’s surface and when it freezes it expands and causes more fractures. Water can then lay in these new fractures and further weather or crack the rock. This example represents a physical weathering process.
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A stream with lots of pebbles of various shapes and sizes is buried. What type of rock will be created when these pebbles are lithified?
A stream with lots of pebbles of various shapes and sizes is buried. What type of rock will be created when these pebbles are lithified?
Pebbles of various sizes and shapes will create a sedimentary rock called a conglomerate rock.
Pebbles of various sizes and shapes will create a sedimentary rock called a conglomerate rock.
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What type of rock will form when beach deposits composed of sand and shells are lithified?
What type of rock will form when beach deposits composed of sand and shells are lithified?
When lithified, sand and shells will create limestone. Limestone is a type of sedimentary rock.
When lithified, sand and shells will create limestone. Limestone is a type of sedimentary rock.
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