Question

Discuss the factors that control soil formation

Answer 1

Dear student,

The answer is as follows:

The outer layer of the earth is formed of soil. Soil is the mixture of rocks that are broken down into finer particles through many processes such as weathering or erosion.

The formation of soil starts with breaking down of rocks. This happens when rain water seeps in the rocks and causes them to break down into finer particles. The decaying plants and animal produce organic matter. These when mixed with rock particles and minerals forms soil. Soil formation also depends on the rock material, climate and topography of the area.

Factors that control formation of soil are as follows:

a) Physical factors such as the sun, water and wind causes soil formation.

The sun heats up the rocks due to which these rocks expand. At night due to cold temperature the rocks cool down and contract. This expansion and contraction of rocks causes the rocks to break.

Water seeps into the rocks and when it freezes it widens the rocks. Fast flowing water also breaks the rocks and takes the smaller particles downstream.

Strong winds too causes the rocks to break..

b) Chemical Process : Lichens that grow on the surface of the rocks release chemical substances which causes the rock surface to break down.

c) Biological process: The roots of plants that grow in the cracks of rocks break the rocks into small parts.

Regards