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Weathering and Soil Formation
Key Terms
33
Science
7th Grade
12/04/2006

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Term
Weathering
Definition
the process that breaks down rock and other substances at earths surfaces
Term
Erosion
Definition
the movement of rock particles by wind, water, ice, or gravity
Term
Mechanical Weathering
Definition
The type of weathering in whick rock is physically broken down into smaller pieces
Term
Abrasion
Definition
the grinding away of rock by rock particles carried by water, ice, wind, or, gravity
Term
Ice Wedging
Definition
The wedging of ice in rocks which widen and deepen cracks
Term
Chemical Weathering
Definition
the process of breaking down rocks through chemical changes
Term
Permeable
Definition
a rock that is full of tiny, connected air spaces that allow water to seep through it
Term
Soil
Definition
the loose, weathered material on earths surface in which plants can grow
Term
Bedrock
Definition
the solid layer of rock beneath earths surface
Term
Humus
Definition
a dark colored substance that forms as plant and animal remains decay
Term
Loam
Definition
soil that is made up of eqaul parts of sand, clay, and silt
Term
Soil Horizon
Definition
a layer of soil that differs in color and texture from the layers above and below it
Term
Topsoil
Definition
s crumbly, dark brown soil that is a mixture of humus, clay and other minerals
Term
Subsoil
Definition
consists of clay and other particles washed down from the topsoil but little humus
Term
Litter
Definition
when plants die and fall to the ground and their plant shed leaves it forms a loose layer called litter
Term
Decomposers
Definition
the organisms that break down the remains of dead organisms into smaller pieces and digest them using chemicals
Term
Sod
Definition
the thick mass of roots at the surface of the soil
Term
Renewable Resource
Definition
a resource that naturally replaces itself in a short time
Term
Soil Conservation
Definition
the management of soil to prevent its destruction
Term
Contour Plowing
Definition
the practice of plowing fields along the curves of a slope
Term
Dust Bowl
Definition
an area where wind erosion caused severe loss of topsoil in the 1930's
Term
Conservation Plowing
Definition
disturbs the soil and its plant cover as little as possible
Term
1-1.What factors cause mechanical weathering?
Definition
Ice wedging, release of pressure, growth of plants, and actions of animals
Term
1-2.Describe three factors of chemical weathering.
Definition
Water eroding them, living organisms like fungi, and acid rain dissolving them
Term
1-3.What factors affect the rate of weathering?
Definition
The type of rock, and the climate.
Term
1-4.Explain why chemical weathering occurs faster in hot,wet climates than in cool,dry climates.
Definition
Because the heat dries out the rock and the water dissolves the rock.
Term
2-1.What role does weathering play in the formation of soil?
Definition
Weathering turns the rock into soil.
Term
2-2.What are the different materials that make up soil?
Definition
Soil is composed of a mixture of rock particles, minerals, decayed organic material, air, and water.
Term
2-3. How do plants and animals affect the formation and composition of soil?
Definition
Some soil organisms mix the soil and make spaces in it for air and water. Other soil organisms make humus, the material that makes soil fertile.
Term
2-4.How do forest soils differ from prairie soils?
Definition
Forest soils need to have a wet climate to form and have little humus where as prairie soils need dry climates and have lots of humus.
Term
3-1.Explain the importance of soil as one of earths resources.
Definition
Soil is one of the Earths most valuable most valuable resources because everything thst lives on land depends on soil whether directly or indirectly.
Term
3-2.How did settlers on the great plains help create the Dust Bowl?
Definition
Plowing removed the grass from the Great Plains exposing the soil. In times of drought, the topsoil quickly dried out, turned to dust, and blew away.
Term
3-3.What are some techniques that farmers use to conserve soil.
Definition
They can either use contour plowing or conservation plowing.
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