soil
what is the top 5 to 15cm of soil called
topsoil
what is the general term for water below the soils surface
groundwater
what is the substance of the physical world
matter
what is the study of matter
science
a way of explaining an object or event by using a set of facts determined through experiments is an
theory
what is the term for a nourishing substance
nutrient
how tightly packed matter is
density
soil material derived from living organisms is ____ material
organic
what soil layer contains more mineral material and less organic material
subsoil
what is the surface of the water under the ground
water table
what factor is changed when testing a hypothesis
independent variable
in what type of soil do plants grow best
neutral or slightly acidic
the use of science to solve practical problems is called
technology
what is anything that provides a partial representation of somehting else
model
substance composed of only one type of atom
element
the ability of a hypothesis to be proven false
falsifiability
what soil material has the smallest and most tightly packed particles
clay
what type of soil allows the most rain to run off
clayey soil
what is the term for the factors that remain the same throughout an experiment
controlled variables
what affects soil color
amount of organic material
hypotheses are made using what kind of reasoning
deductive
what do pedologist use to provide standard names and descriptions of colors
Munsell Charts
atoms linked together in a group
molecule
a conclusion based on reasoning is an
inference
what type of soil allows the most air and water into itself
sandy soil
What type of bacteria returns nitrogen to the atmosphere by converting nitrogen from nitrates into atmospheric nitrogen
denitrifying bacteria
which component of the scientific method incolves gathering data in an orderly way
observing
which primary plant food element is essential for cell division growth and plant maturation
phosphorus
when grace sneezed the power went out. To say based on this evidence that graces sneeze casued the power to malfuntion is a logic error call the _______ fallacy
Post Hoc Fallacy
what form of inductive reasoning involves comparing two situations that are the same except for one factor
method of difference
amount of matter in an object
mass
a scientist performed an experiment multiple times with all factors as close to the same as possible becasue he came to the same conclusion each time this experiment has
repeatability
what is part of potassiums primary function for plants
promoting general health
what is the basic compound of nitrogen and hydrogen that enters the soil through the action of certain bacteria and the decay of plants and animals
ammonia
what is the process of speculating about objects or events of nature and formulating a sensible explanation
Hypothesizing
what do logicians call a statement of fact that can be used to make a conclusion
proposition
Chemist express the degree of acidity or basicity of a substance using the ______ which has values from 0 to 14
PH scale
what is the upward movement of water through a tiny space in response to surface tension
Capillarity
substance containing two or more types of atoms bonded together
compound
if a soil samples pH is 9 then the sample is
basic