Soil Formation
This process has broken rock and tiny pieces of rock that help make soil.
What is weathering?
A sudden shaking of Earth is called this.
What is an earthquake?
The process where wind or water wears away rock into smaller pieces is called: ____.
Weathering (also called erosion when material is moved). Bonus if erosion is used!
Which soil type feels gritty and has large pieces: sand or clay?
Sand
Name two things that help form soil from dead plants and animals.
What are worms and decomposers?
Hot melted rock that bursts from a volcano is called this.
What is lava?
True or False: Ice can break rocks apart when water freezes in cracks.
Which soil type holds water well and feels sticky when wet: sand or clay?
Clay
Explain in one sentence how weathering helps make soil from big rocks.
Answers vary. Bonus points for students using RACE
What do we call a large mass of earth or rock that moves quickly down a slope?
What is a landslide?
Give one example of weathering.
Ex. Roots grow into cracks and as they expand they pry the rock apart, breaking it into pieces. Answers may vary, bonus for using RACE
If a plant needs soil that drains well, which soil type is better: sand or clay? Explain.
Sand is better because it drains water quickly so roots get air and don’t stay waterlogged. Answers may vary.
Give two examples of kinds of plant or animal remains that help form soil.
Examples: fallen leaves, dead roots, dead insects, decayed animals. Answers may vary.
Name one safety action people can take during an earthquake to stay safe.
Drop, cover, and hold on; move to open area away from buildings; stay away from windows (any appropriate safety action). Answers may vary.
How does plant roots growing in cracks cause weathering?
Roots grow into cracks and as they expand they pry the rock apart, breaking it into pieces. Answers may vary.
Describe one way clay and sand differ in how quickly water moves through them.
Water moves quickly through sand (large spaces between grains) and slowly through clay (tiny spaces hold water). Answers may vary.
Describe how both weathering and decomposition work together to form soil over time.
Weathering breaks rock into small mineral pieces; decomposition adds organic matter from plants and animals; together they form fertile soil over time. Answers may vary slightly.
Explain how a volcanic eruption can change Earth’s surface quickly (one or two sentences).
A volcanic eruption can quickly add new rock and ash to the surface, build up mountains (volcano cones), and change landscapes by spreading lava and ash. Answers may vary.
Answers will vary.
Explain why a mix of sand, silt, and clay (loam) is often best for plants (one or two sentences).
Loam mixes sand, silt, and clay so it drains well, holds some water, and has nutrients—making it good for most plants.