Surface of the Earth - Soil types Topic 15) Flashcards

1
Q

Key Words:

Microscope

A

An instrument that makes small things appear much bigger

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2
Q

Key Words:

Coarse grains

A

Large soil grains

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3
Q

Key Words:

Fine grains

A

Very small soil grains

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4
Q

Key Words:

Soil grains

A

Small pieces of broken rock

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5
Q

Key Words:

Humus

A

Dark material in the soil
made of the fully decomposed remains
of plants and animals

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6
Q

Key Words:

Eroded soil

A

Soil that has been washed or blown away

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7
Q

List the following types of soil in order from roughest to smoothest:
Sand
Clay
Loam

A
  1. Sand
  2. Loam
  3. Clay
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8
Q

What does clay feel like?

A

Smooth

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9
Q

Why does clay feel smooth?

A

Because it is made up of very fine particles

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10
Q

What is loam?

A

Equal parts clay - sand - other grains

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11
Q

Why is humus important?

A

It provides lots of nutrients for the plants.

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12
Q

Water and wind can cause the fertile soil to be removed. This process is called….

A

Erosion

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13
Q

Soil can hold (1)…. and (2)…. between the space of its grains

A
  1. Air

2. Water

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14
Q

Water passes more easily through which kind of soil?

A

Sandy

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15
Q

Does sandy soil have large or small grains?

A

Large

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16
Q

What do we add to sand to make plants grow better?

17
Q

Why do plants like loamy soil?

A

Because loamy soil doesn’t get too wet or too dry.

18
Q

How do the dead leaves and plants get broken down?

A

By small animals like earth worms, termites, crickets and spiders moving around.

19
Q

Name one other way that small animals help the soil?

A

As they move around
They open small spaces for more and and water in the soil.
This makes it easier for plants to grow.

20
Q

How do dead plants and animals decompose?

A

Very tiny organisms eat the dead plants and animals

21
Q

Why must farmers protect the soil?

A

Because it takes thousands of years for soil to form.

22
Q

How can topsoil be lost?

A

It can be washed away by water

Blown away by wind

23
Q

What do we call the process of topsoil being lost?

24
Q

Why is loamy soil dark?

A

Because it has humus in it.

25
What happens to clay when it gets wet?
It gets sticky
26
Why is Loamy soil just right for plants?
1. It holds the right amount of water 2. Allows water to drain away 3. Has lots of nutrients in it.