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Weathering & Soil Formation
Chapter 7
24
Science
7th Grade
12/04/2006

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Term
Weathering-
Definition
the process that breaks down rock and other substances at Earth's surface.
Term
Erosion-
Definition
the movement of rock particles by wind, water,ice, or gravity.
Term
Mechanical Weathering-
or
Physical Weathering-
Definition
the type of weathering in which rock is physically broken into smaller pieces.
Term
Abrasion-
Definition
the grinding away of rock by rock particles carried by water, ice, wind, or gravity.
Term
Ice Wedging-
Definition
When water seeps into a crack, freezes when the temperature drops, expands when it freezes, and crackes the ice apart as it forms into a wedge.
Term
Chemical Weathering-
Definition
the process that breaks down rock through chemical changes.
Term
Permeable-
Definition
that a material is full of tiny, connected air spaces that allow water to seep through it.
Term
Soil-
Definition
the loose, weathered material on Earth's surface in which plants can grow.
Term
Bedrock-
Definition
the solid layer of rock beneath the soil.
Term
Loam-
Definition
soil that is made up of about epual parts of clay, sand, and silt.
Term
Soil Horizon-
Definition
a layer of soil that differs in color and texture from layer above or below it.
Term
Topsoil-
Definition
a crumbly, dark brown soil that is a mixture of humus, clay, and other minerals.
Term
Litter-
Definition
the sheded leaves of plants that form a loose layer.
Term
Decomposers-
Definition
the organisms that break the remains of dead organisms into smaller pices and digest them with chemicals.
Term
Sod-
Definition
the thick mass of tough roots at the surface of the soil.
Term
Renewable Resource-
Definition
a resource that is naturally repllaced in a relatively short time.
Term
Dust Bowl-
Definition
an area where wind erosion caused severe loss of topsoil during the 1930s.
Term
Soil Consevation-
Definition
the management of soil to prevent its destruction.
Term
Contour plowing-
Definition
the practice of plowing field along the curves of a slope.
Term
Consevation Plowing-
Definition
disturbs the soil and its plant cover as little as possible.
Term
Humus-
Definition
a dark-colored substance that forms as plant and animal remains decay.
Term
Subsoil-
Definition
usually consists of clay and other particles washed down from the the topsoil little humus
Term
What factors cause mechanical weathering?
Definition
By freezing and thawing, release of pressure, growth of plants, actions of animals, and abrasion.
Term
Describe three causes so chemical weathering.
Definition
they include water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, living organisms, and acid rain.
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