Question

Explain the formation of soil?

Answer 1

Formation of soil

1. Soil formation is a complicated process. Let us first learn about soil before we look at how it is formed.
2. Dirt makes up the earth's outer layer or topmost layer. Soil contains minerals, organic matter, and living organisms.
3. However, soil can apply to any loose material in general.
4. Soil is formed by the weathering or breakdown of parent rocks due to physical, chemical, and biological factors.
5. Soil formation is a lengthy process that takes thousands of years to complete.
6. Three processes can result in the formation of soil, as shown below.

Mechanical Weathering

1. This is most frequent at the surface of the earth.
2. Physical weathering gets its name from the fact that physical factors like wind, water, and temperature influence it.
3. Mechanical weathering is also known as physical weathering or disaggregation.
4. Mechanical weathering is mostly caused by water, whether it be solid or liquid.

Chemical Weathering

1. When chemical processes tear down rocks, this is known as chemical weathering.
2. This sort of weathering can change the chemical makeup of the soil.
3. Chemical weathering processes include oxidation-reduction, hydrolysis, dissolution, and carbonation.

Biological Weathering

1. Lichens that grow on rocks emit chemicals that break down the rock into a fine powder, forming a thin coating of soil in the process.
   Mosses develop on the rock's surface, further deteriorating it. Tree roots enter rock fissures and force them open, causing the rocks to crumble.
2. Biological weathering is the effect of living organisms on the breakdown of rock.