AP Environmental Science : Types of Soil
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Types Of Soil
What are the three main types of soil?
Silt, loam and parent material
Sand, silt and clay
Loam, silt and sand
Silt, clay and humus
Clay, humus and loam
Sand, silt and clay
Silt, clay and sand are the three main types of soil. Loam is actually a soil mixture with a high clay content, and humus is organic matter present in soil (particularly in the top organic "O" layer), but neither are a main type of soil.
Example Question #2 : Types Of Soil
List these types of soil by their particle size from largest to smallest.
Sand, clay and silt
Clay, silt, sand
Sand, silt, clay
Clay, sand and silt
Silt, sand, clay
Sand, silt, clay
Sand is defined as having a diameter ranging from 0.05 mm to 2 mm, silt as having a diameter ranging from 0.05 mm to 0.002 mm, and clay as having a diameter smaller than 0.002 mm. Therefore, sand particles are the largest, followed by silt, and then clay being the smallest particles in the spectrum.
Example Question #3 : Types Of Soil
__________ soil is considered ideal for food production, usually nutrient-rich, and holds both air and water well.
Alkaline
Sandy
Loamy
Silty
Clay-rich
Loamy
Loamy soil is a mixture between sand, silt, and clay. It is rich in organic matter, and the properties of sand and clay combined allow it to hold air and water well.
Example Question #1 : Types Of Soil
List the soil horizons in order.
Unweathered sediment, organic material, plough zone, zone of accumulation, weathered sediment
Plough zone, zone of accumulation, weathered sediment, unweathered sediment, organic material
Organic material, plough zone, zone of accumulation, weathered sediment, unweathered sediment
Organic material, zone of accumulation, plough zone, weathered sediment, unweathered sediment
Organic material, plough zone, weathered sediment, zone of accumulation, unweathered sediment
Organic material, plough zone, zone of accumulation, weathered sediment, unweathered sediment
Soil horizons labeled with brief descriptions:
Example Question #1 : Types Of Soil
Brett has been collecting soil samples from various city parks for his chemistry class. The chemistry class will measure the amount of nutrients, such as potassium and nitrogen, in each soil sample. The park with the best quality soil will be the location of a community garden. By measuring the soil nutrients, what soil property is Brett trying to quantify?
Soil compressibility
Soil porosity
Soil fertility
Soil strength
Soil infilitration
Soil fertility
The correct response is soil fertility. The amount of nutrients in the soil is a measurement of soil fertility. Soils with high nutrient content (especially with respect to nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium) are considered fertile soils. Soils with low nutrient content are considered infertile soils. Soil porosity refers to the amount of air space between soil particles. Soil infiltration refers to its infiltration (absorption of water) capacity. Soil compressibility, as the name suggests, is the ability for a soil to be compressed. Soil strength involves the capacity of a soil to withstand sheer stress forces, which is influenced by many parameters including those mentioned above.
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