Unit 5: Soil Composition and Properties

Question 1

Soil texture best for agriculture

Answer 1

Loam (mix of sand, silt, and clay)

Question 2

Soil texture that can lead to contaminated water moving through it so quickly

Answer 2

Sand

Question 3

Soil texture good for containing contaminants

Answer 3

Clay

Question 4

Texture

Answer 4

Determined by the percentages of sand, silt, and clay.

Question 5

Permeability

Answer 5

How quickly soil drains depending on its texture.

Question 6

Porosity

Answer 6

The ability of water to move through soil depending on its pore space. Less pore space means water can’t easily move.

Question 7

Cation exchange capacity

Answer 7

The ability of a particular soil to absorb and release cations, based on the amount and types of clay present.

Question 8

pH effect on soil

Answer 8

Soil acids are detrimental to plant nutrition, while soil bases promote plant growth.

Question 9

Nutrients in soil

Answer 9

A soil with high CEC and high base saturation is likely to support high productivity.

Question 10

Diversity in soil

Answer 10

Different organisms including bacteria, rodents, earthworms, and snails are important for good soil quality.

Question 11

Physical properties of soil

Answer 11

Texture, permeability, and porosity.

Question 12

Chemical properties of soil

Answer 12

Cation exchange capacity, pH, and nutrients.

Question 13

Biological properties of soil

Answer 13

Diversity

Question 14

Cation

Answer 14

Positively charged mineral ion.

Question 15

Base saturation

Answer 15

The proportion of soil bases to soil acids, expressed as a percentage.

Question 16

Size of soil particles from smallest to largest

Answer 16

Clay, silt, sand

Question 17

Which soil contains the most water?

Answer 17

Clay