Weathering and Soil Quiz

What is the process of breaking down or dissolving rocks and minerals on Earth's surface called?

• Erosion

• Weathering

• Tectonics

• Volcanism

Which type of weathering involves the interaction of rock with mineral solutions to change the composition of rocks?

• Mechanical weathering

• Chemical weathering

• Biological weathering

• Physical weathering

What is the main agent of mechanical weathering that causes rocks to disintegrate or break up without changing their chemical composition?

• Ice wedging

• Plant root growth

• Acidification

• Oxidation

Which factor determines the rate of weathering based on the speed at which rocks undergo physical and chemical changes due to exposure to the elements?

• None of the above

• Type of rock

• Climate

• Both A and B

What is the loose surface material that covers most land and provides structural support for plants used in agriculture?

• Air

• Water

• Minerals

• Soil

Which category of soil components includes all the living and once-living things in soil, such as plants and insects?

• Organic matter

• Biotic factors

• Abiotic factors

• Inorganic particles

What is the dark, organic material that forms in soil when plant and animal matter decays?

• Humus

• Lichen

• Carbonation

• Hydrolysis

Which soil horizon is the humus-rich topsoil where nutrient, organic matter, and biological activity are highest?

• B horizon

• A horizon

• O horizon

• C horizon

What is one of the most important roles of soil organisms in soil formation and ecology?

• Control nutrient flux to plants

• Reduce plant growth

• Increase pollution

• Promote soil erosion

Which mineral found in soil is a key nutrient for most plants and is essential for agriculture?

• Calcium

• Nitrogen

• Sulfur

• Magnesium