Question

What is Soil? What are the forces responsible for weathering of rocks? Also, name any three types of soil found in India.

Answer 1

Instructions:

• Introduce soil through definition or through a concept.(1 Mark)
• Mention the factors that aid in the weathering. (0.5 x 5 2.5 Marks)
• Out of many types of soil, name three types of soil found in India (0.5 X 3 = 1.5 Marks)

Solution:
Soil is a thin layer formed of the organic and inorganic matter on the surface of the Earth.
It is related to the surface of the Earth in the similar way as an apple with its skin.
Weathering of rocks takes place due to the following reasons :

1. Parent Rock : It depends on the type of rock.
2. Climate a.Temperature Changes : rocks expand and contract and thereby, cracks develop in the rocks.
   
   b.Rainfall : When cracks expands, rainfall may fall within those cracks and the water will get into solid ice crystals making the cracks bigger.
3. Relief : Relief or slope determines the amount of weathered particles.
4. Vegetation : Plant and other life form grow in the soil and die and become part of the soil, thus adding the humus content of the soil.
5. Time : Time is an important factor too in weathering and the soil formation.

The three types of Soil found in India are

1. Mountainous Soil
2. Alluvial Soil
3. Black Soil
   
   (Also, Red Soil, Laterite Soil, Desert Soil)