Soil Formation, Composition, and Properties - AP Environmental Science
Card 1 of 130
Which element is not a component of soil?
Which element is not a component of soil?
Tap to reveal answer
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.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
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 .
Tap to reveal answer
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."
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
is soil with the smallest particles. (Less than 0.002mm diameter).
is soil with the smallest particles. (Less than 0.002mm diameter).
Tap to reveal answer
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.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
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?
Tap to reveal answer
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.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
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?
Tap to reveal answer
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.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
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?
Tap to reveal answer
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.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
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?
Tap to reveal answer
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.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which soil layer is composed of weathered rock (parent material) and contains little to no organic matter?
Which soil layer is composed of weathered rock (parent material) and contains little to no organic matter?
Tap to reveal answer
The O Horizon is composed of humus (organic matter), the A Horizon is a mixture of minerals and organic matter, the B Horizon is composed mainly of minerals and the D horizon is solid bedrock. The C Horizon best fits this definition, as it is the layer above the bedrock, consisting mostly of weathered rock fragments.
The O Horizon is composed of humus (organic matter), the A Horizon is a mixture of minerals and organic matter, the B Horizon is composed mainly of minerals and the D horizon is solid bedrock. The C Horizon best fits this definition, as it is the layer above the bedrock, consisting mostly of weathered rock fragments.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Soil is stratified into different layers, called horizons. Which horizon contains freshly fallen leaves, plant litter, and lots of organic matter?
Soil is stratified into different layers, called horizons. Which horizon contains freshly fallen leaves, plant litter, and lots of organic matter?
Tap to reveal answer
The correct response is O Horizon. This O horizon is the layer closest to the surface - typically between the depths of 0 to 2 inches, and contains freshly fallen leaves, plant litter, and lots of other organic matter.
The correct response is O Horizon. This O horizon is the layer closest to the surface - typically between the depths of 0 to 2 inches, and contains freshly fallen leaves, plant litter, and lots of other organic matter.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
The soil beneath your feet is stratified into layers that help us understand how soil is formed. If you collected a soil sample that contained accumulations of clay and subsoil, from which horizon (layer) did this soil come?
The soil beneath your feet is stratified into layers that help us understand how soil is formed. If you collected a soil sample that contained accumulations of clay and subsoil, from which horizon (layer) did this soil come?
Tap to reveal answer
The correct response is B Horizon. The B horizon is referred to as the zone of accumulation because all the clay, minerals, and subsoil that is washed into it via illuviation from the overlying layers of soil. The B horizon is usually dark red or brownish due to the presence of clay and iron oxides.
The correct response is B Horizon. The B horizon is referred to as the zone of accumulation because all the clay, minerals, and subsoil that is washed into it via illuviation from the overlying layers of soil. The B horizon is usually dark red or brownish due to the presence of clay and iron oxides.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which type of rock is found deep below the Earth's surface and is formed by intense heat and pressure?
Which type of rock is found deep below the Earth's surface and is formed by intense heat and pressure?
Tap to reveal answer
Metamorphic rock is the only kind of rock that is formed below the Earth's crust. Igneous rock is formed by lava and volcanic activity. Sedimentary rock is formed by the collection of sand and other microscopic components that are fused together. Generally, the last two kinds of rock are found in the crust only, unless they are melted into lava.
Metamorphic rock is the only kind of rock that is formed below the Earth's crust. Igneous rock is formed by lava and volcanic activity. Sedimentary rock is formed by the collection of sand and other microscopic components that are fused together. Generally, the last two kinds of rock are found in the crust only, unless they are melted into lava.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What are soil horizons?
What are soil horizons?
Tap to reveal answer
There are six types of soil horizons and each has different chemical or physical properties. Each type of soil has a different number of horizons. The horizons start at the parent material (bedrock) and continue up to the surface.
There are six types of soil horizons and each has different chemical or physical properties. Each type of soil has a different number of horizons. The horizons start at the parent material (bedrock) and continue up to the surface.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the brown insoluble particles from partially decomposed organic matter?
What is the brown insoluble particles from partially decomposed organic matter?
Tap to reveal answer
The correct response is humus. This is one of the most important components to soil communities. Humus is formed as things like leaves, branches, and other vegetation breakdown (slowly) over time. Earthworms and microbes help speed up the process of breaking down dead organic matter into humus.
The correct response is humus. This is one of the most important components to soil communities. Humus is formed as things like leaves, branches, and other vegetation breakdown (slowly) over time. Earthworms and microbes help speed up the process of breaking down dead organic matter into humus.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which element is not a component of soil?
Which element is not a component of soil?
Tap to reveal answer
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.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
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 .
Tap to reveal answer
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."
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
is soil with the smallest particles. (Less than 0.002mm diameter).
is soil with the smallest particles. (Less than 0.002mm diameter).
Tap to reveal answer
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.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
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?
Tap to reveal answer
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.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
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?
Tap to reveal answer
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.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
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?
Tap to reveal answer
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.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
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?
Tap to reveal answer
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.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →