Chapter 6 Study Guide Flashcards
The process that breaks down rock and other substances at the Earth’s surface.
Weathering
Removal of rock particles by wind, water, ice, and gravity.
Erosion
Grinding away of rock particles carried by water, ice, wind, or gravity.
Abrasion
Ice in rocks that deepens and widens cracks
ice wedging
Iron combines with oxygen in the presence of water.
oxidation
material is full of tiny, connected air spaces that allow water to seep through
permeable
loose weathered material in which plants grow.
soil
solid layers of rock beneath the soil
bedrock
dark colored substance that forms as plant and animal remains decay
humus
soil made up of about equal parts of clay, sand, and silt.
loam
layer of soil that differs in color and therefore from layers above or beneath it
soil horizon
crumbly dark brown soil that is a mixture of humus, clay and other minerals
top soil
consists of clay and other particles washed down from a horizon but has little humus
sub soil
loose layer of plant remains
litter
organisms that break the remains of dead organisms into small pieces and digest them with chemicals
decomposers
