Question

Explain with the help of a diagram how soil is formed

Answer 1

Answer:

Answer=There are a number of natural processes involved in the formation of soil. Some of them are as follows :

(i) Earthquakes or volcanic eruptions : There is a hard layer of rocks just below the earth. Due to natural calamities like earthquakes or volcanic eruptions, these big and heavy rocks are broken into smaller pieces and come on the surface of the earth.

(ii) Weathering of rocks : Due to fast-blowing winds, snowfall, moving glaciers and running water from rains, fine particles from surface of rocks are carried to different places. This process is very slow and takes thousands of years. This is called physical weathering.

(iii) Corrosion or decomposition : The smaller particles of rocks obtained due to weathering, get further decomposed when exposed to air and moisture for long. These processes range from oxidation, reduction, hydration, hydrolysis or carbonization. Lichens and other plants also help in this process. For example, rocks of minerals like felspar and mica combine with water through the process of hydration and become soft and easily disintegrable. Silicate rocks on hydrolysis produce silicate clays. These are also slow processes. These are also called chemical weathering.

(iv) Addition of humus : Finally, the decomposed parts of dead plants and animals get mixed up with the soil formed due to the processes mentioned above. This gives the soil enough energy in the form of organic matter.

Answer 2

Answer:

Soil is formed through the process of weathering. Weathering is a process of physical breakdown and chemical decomposition of rocks and minerals near or at the surface of the earth. This physical and chemical decomposition is primarily done by wind, water, and climate. As a result of these processes, large rock pieces are converted into smaller pieces and eventually to soil.