Weathering of Rock
What is weathering?
Weathering is the breaking down of rocks into smaller pieces by wind, water, and changes in temperature.
What is decomposition?
Decomposition is when dead plants and animals break down into simpler materials, helping form soil.
What is sand made of?
Sand is made of tiny pieces of rock and minerals that have been broken down by weathering.
What are soils made from?
Soils are made from tiny rock particles, organic material from dead plants and animals, water, and air.
Can soil be different colors?
Yes, soil can be many colors like brown, red, black, or even white, depending on what it’s made from!
How does water cause weathering?
Water can get into cracks in rocks and freeze, expanding and breaking the rock apart, or it can dissolve certain minerals in the rock.
How do worms help make soil?
Worms help break down dead plant and animal material and their waste makes soil richer and better for plants.
What is clay made of?
Clay is made of very tiny particles that come from the weathering of rocks and minerals, especially in rivers and streams.
What makes soil fertile?
Soil is fertile when it has lots of nutrients and organic matter that plants need to grow.
Why do plants grow well in soil?
Plants grow well in soil because it holds nutrients and water they need to grow, and it gives their roots a place to spread out.
What are two types of weathering?
Two types of weathering are physical (like wind and water breaking rocks) and chemical (like acid rain dissolving parts of the rock).
What happens to leaves that fall on the ground?
Leaves that fall on the ground decompose and turn into part of the soil, adding nutrients.
How is silt different from sand and clay?
Silt particles are smaller than sand but larger than clay and feel smooth and powdery when dry.
What does organic mean in terms of soil?
In terms of soil, organic refers to materials derived from living organisms, like decomposed plants and animals.
What is loam?
Loam is a type of soil that is a mix of sand, silt, and clay and is really good for growing plants because it holds moisture but also drains well.
What role does temperature play in weathering rocks?
Temperature changes can cause rocks to expand and contract, leading to cracks and breaking them into smaller pieces over time.
What is humus?
Humus is the rich, dark material formed from decayed plant and animal matter that makes soil very fertile.
Why is clay soil hard for plants?
Clay soil can be hard for plants because it holds water tightly and doesn’t let much air get to the roots.
How do different soils affect water drainage?
Sandy soil drains water quickly, clay soil holds water, and loamy soil has balanced water drainage, which affects plant growth.
What is topsoil?
Topsoil is the top layer of the soil that is rich in nutrients and organic matter, and it is very important for plant growth.
What is acid rain and how does it weather rocks?
Acid rain is rain mixed with pollutants that can dissolve and wear away certain minerals in rocks faster than plain water.
How does decomposition contribute to the carbon cycle?
Decomposition breaks down organic materials into carbon dioxide, which is released into the atmosphere and used by plants in photosynthesis.
Compare the particle size of sand, silt, and clay.
Sand has the largest particles, silt has medium-sized particles, and clay has the smallest particles.
What nutrients do plants get from soil?
Plants get nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium from the soil, which help them grow healthy and strong.
What is a soil profile?
A soil profile is a vertical section of the soil that shows different layers or horizons, each with different compositions and properties.