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Definition
| the process that breaks down rock and other substances at Earth's surface |
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| the movement of rock particles by wind, water, ice, or gravity |
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Term
Mechanical weathering
(physical weathering) |
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Definition
| the type of weathering in which rock is physicaly brokeninto smaller pieces |
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Definition
| the grinding away of rock by rock particles carried by water, ice, wind, or gravity (sometimes considered to be a type of erosion) |
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| when water seeps into cracks in rock and expands when it freezes,breaking rock apart |
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| the process that breaks down rock through chemical changes |
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| full of tiny, connected air spaces thatallow water to seep through |
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| the loose, weathered material on Earth's surface in which plants can grow |
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| the solid layer of rock beneath the soil |
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| a dark-colored substance that forms as plant and animal remains decay |
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| soil that is made of about equal parts clay, sand, and silt |
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| a layer of soil that differs in color and texture from the layers above and below it |
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| A crumbly, dark brown soil that is a mixture of humus, clay, and other minerals. Usually the A horizon. |
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Definition
| consists of clay and other particles washed down from the topsoil, but little humus, usually the B horison |
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Definition
| organic remains of dead plants |
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Definition
| the organisms that break the remains of dead organisms into smaller pieces and digest them with chemicals |
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| thick mass of tough roots at the surface of the soil |
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Definition
| a resource that is naturally replaced in a relatively short time |
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| an area where wind erosion caused severe loss of topsoil during the 1930s |
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Definition
| the management of soil to prevent its destruction |
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Definition
| the practice of plowing fields along the curves of a slope |
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Definition
the practice of disturbing the soil and its plant cover as little as possible,
also called low- or no-till plowing |
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Term
| What factors cause mechanical weathering? |
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Definition
| The type of mechanical weathering will depend on the climate, for example, colder climates will see more ice wedging than others. forested areas will see lots of cracks in rock because of plant growth. |
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Term
| Describe the three causes of chemical weathering. |
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Definition
| Oxygen weathers most metals through the process of oxidation. Water dissolves rock over long periods of time. Acids can also dissolve rocks. |
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| What factors affect the rate of weathering? |
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Definition
| The most important factors that determine the rate at whichweathering occurs are the type of rock and the climate. |
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| Explain why chemical weathering occurs faster in hot , wet climates than in cool, dry climates. |
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Definition
| Wetter climates better provide the water needed for chemical changes. Chemical reactions also occur faster in warmer temperatures. |
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| What role does weathering play in the formation of soils? |
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Definition
| Weathering breaks up rock and allows room for plants, which help beak it down even further. |
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| What are the different materials that make up soil? |
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Definition
| Gravel, sand, silt, and clay make up soil. |
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| How do plants and animals affect the formation and composition of soil? |
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Definition
| Decomposers fertilize the soil by breaking down dead plant remains. Burrowing mammals break up the soil and mix humus with it. |
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Term
| How do forest soils differ from prarie soils? |
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Definition
| Forest soils form in wetter climates, and prarie soils form in drier areas. Prarie soils have lots of humus, forest soils do not. |
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| Explain the importance of soil as one of Earth's resources. |
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Definition
| Everything on Earth depends on soil, whether directly or indirectly. |
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Term
| How did settlers on the Great Plains help create the Dust Bowl? |
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Definition
| People plowed the land. Plowing removed grass from the Great Plains and exposed the soil. In times of drought, the topsoil quickly dried out, turned to dust, and blew away. |
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| What are some techniques that farmers use to conserve soil? |
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Definition
| Farmers conserve soil by using contour plowing and conservation plowing. |
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